Alex Perry

This is the story of how the Italian government took down a mafia family by appealing to a weakness they didn't know they had: their wives and daughters. The mafia women were systemically mistreated to keep them from tarnishing the family honor. They became tired of being forbidden to choose a spouse, career, or even where they were allowed to go.

The Italian government ignored these women for years, and didn't use their testimonies to prosecute. This placed women who left in a horrible situation without protection. When the Italian police started to take these testimonies seriously, more women came forward to protect their children and themselves, and the mafia's secrets were revealed. A very exciting and interesting story: I learned a lot about Italian politics and law.… (more)

Thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for a free copy of the Rift!

The Rift is an thought-provoking, insightful, and often horrifying look into the West's treatment of Africa. Aid workers that cause more harm than good, Kony, and even George Clooney are all addressed in this book, and help to provide readers with important context about Africa's history, present conditions, and future.

I hesitate to say this, because I don't want to take away from the importance of the content -- this seems like a superficial thing to comment on -- but this is also a really well-written book. Whether he's recountng a personal experience, providing historical context, or explaining complex political dynamics, the writing is smooth, clearl and engaging.

Prior to reading this book, I knew that Africa was often simplified, mischaracterized, and exploited in the media. But the Rift was an eye-opener in terms of just how rooted in history this is, and how horrifyingly damaging and deliberate. Highly recommended.… (more)