A Small, Stubborn Town
- 160 pages
- 6 hours of reading
The Russians are invading. But the locals have a plan.[Bokinfo].
Andrew Harding Books
Drawing on his experience as the BBC's Africa Correspondent, Andrew Harding crafts compelling narratives that delve into the heart of complex human dramas across the continent. His writing style is characterized by a keen observational eye and a profound ability to explore the darker facets of human nature and societal challenges. Harding masterfully intertwines the suspense of true crime with insightful analyses of character motivations and the unique environments in which his stories unfold. His work offers readers not only gripping accounts but also thought-provoking examinations of justice, morality, and resilience.
The Mayor of Mogadishu
A Story of Chaos and Redemption in the Ruins of Somalia
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
In The Mayor of Mogadishu , one of the BBC’s most experienced foreign correspondents, Andrew Harding, reveals the tumultuous life of Mohamoud “Tarzan” Nur - an impoverished nomad who was abandoned in a state orphanage in newly independent Somalia, and became a street brawler and activist. When the country collapsed into civil war and anarchy, Tarzan and his young family became part of an exodus, eventually spending twenty years in north London. But in 2010 Tarzan returned, as Mayor, to the unrecognizable ruins of a city now almost entirely controlled by the Islamist militants of Al Shabab. For many in Mogadishu, and in the diaspora, Tarzan became a galvanizing symbol of courage and hope for Somalia. But for others, he was a divisive thug, who sank beneath the corruption and clan rivalries that continue, today, to threaten the country’s revival. The Mayor of Mogadishu is a rare an insider’s account of Somalia’s unraveling, and an intimate portrayal of one family’s extraordinary journey.