I Didn’t Do It for You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation

As the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia heats up again, this compelling book shows why this is just the latest in a long line of devastating wars for Eritrea. There were the Italians, who couldn’t stand to be left out as other European nations got “their” African colonies, and then the British, who stole the railroad and industrial infrastructure built by the Italians. Always, there is Ethiopia, who without Eritrea is desperately landlocked. It turns out that the United States has played a major role in keeping this small country down, too: Before the age of satellites, a high mountain plateau in Eritrea was just the place for the CIA to eavesdrop on our enemies—and on our friends. Michela Wrong shows why Eritrea and its lessons on immoral wars should not be overlooked.