Customer Reviews:
 Trust me, I`m a doctor June 3, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
What a lot of self-indulgent nonsense. The author seems to be a competent doctor, but, as a worldly-wise person, he`s not in the race. Why he did not get out of Uganda as soon as he found what was going on or suspected what was going to happen I cannot understand. He knew he was dealing with a megalomaniac psychopath, but stayed on as that lunatic`s physician. His later misfortunes were of his own making and certainly don`t arouse any sympathy from me. That said, the accounts of the dictator`s rants and mood swings and the general state of affairs prevailing in the country are the most first-hand reports we are likely to get from a European resident. That the UK Government requested Dr. Garrigan to poison Amin is an interesting claim that is never going to be verified, but the Chinese and Libyan interventions are recorded, as is the sinister influence of Israel.
I haven`t seen the film, but, from my reading, it can only be better than this poorly written book.
 Amazing! February 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Firstly I would like to say how disappointed that anyone would think the film is better than the book! Having said this, I read the book first and purposely waited until I had finished it to get the DVD out. I watched the DVD last week and really annoyed my friend I was watching it with by saying `Oh my god, that didn't happen in the book'. I don't want to spoil the book or film for anyone but quite a few things have been added or totally changed for dramatic affect. for example, one scene I enjoyed in the book where Dr Garrigan's diary is stolen and he hears Armin talk about extracts from it. It is terrifying but this was left out of the film.
Anyway - this is a review of the book not the film. The book is an excellent read and very well written. Despite Dr Garrigan's weakness we like him and even understand why he stayed in Uganda so for long. Some of the writing makes you feel like you are there with him. I really did say out loud `oh my god' a few times when reading this on the tube on the way to work.
Please give it a go. The film and the book should be viewed and read entirely separately. (Although I found it hard!).
 Africa in a book November 1, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love Africa and the author must do so also. The descriptions of the countryside and its people were accurate and not patronising or idealistic. I read the book in about two days because I couldn't put it down. The underlying menance was always there and the doctor was silly but then who would have had experience of this sort of situation? I liked the bit at the end when he said he'd rather be back in africa than on a bus doing 9 to 5.
I'm not sure if I will like the film, they seem to have really changed the plot and I think the scene where Nicholas makes the wife pregnant not the friend is out of character. Nicholas is too wet to do anything like that.
I read this on a fairly miserable trip abroad to a European country and it took me straight into Africa everytime I opened the pages. I wish I could find another book so evocative.
A good read July 3, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a good and enjoyable read. Unfortunately I read it after seeing the film - and it is one of the few occasions when I will say that the movie was better then the book. Don't mistake me for saying the book is bad though - because I enjoyed it very much.
However, as the movie proved - Idi Amin, the crazy president of Uganda, was a by far more interesting character then the sympathetic idiot Nichollas Garrigan.
I don't wish to start a movie-book review so I shall try not to.
In the book, you really find yourself in Uganda with Garrigan. It is very immersingly written and believeable. The main character is not your usual hero whom you can sympathise with. In fact, he is a bit of a stupid prat. Never the less, you find yourself shaking your head and doubtlessly on your side. It is a fine balance.
I would not say I found any part of this book boring, it was totally enjoyable. However I think it was less about Idi Amin and more about silly white doctor guy getting himself into a situation he can't handle.
Very different from the movie, but still very good.
So real, at times I thought I was there! April 9, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
After seeing all the hype about the film after the film awards, I bought the book to see what all the fuss was about. I'm glad I did, this is easily the best book I have read this year. I was gripped by the first chapter, but I must admit the next few chapters were a bit slow and I was waiting, albeit with trepidation, for something to happen. I can remember when Idi Amin came to power, and the horrifying regime over which he presided, so I knew there would be times when Dr Garrigan would be terrified and revolted by the actions of his employer. When it did happen, and Dr Garrigan was offered the opportunity to be Amin's personal doctor, I was almost shouting "Don't do it!" into the book.
I found the book very easy to read, and yet I was drawn into the narrative in such a way that I often felt that I was actually there sharing the experience. The depiction of Amin is so realistic and believeable, that I felt embarassed along with his audience whenever he comes out with his bizzare and fanciful claims. The part where he threatens Dr Garrigan is so frightening that I was almost gasping for breath.
Strangely, although I know that Amin was a monster and did dreadful harm to the people of Uganda, his massive personality was brought out so well that by the end of the book, I was beginning to see why Dr Garrigan actually liked him. However, I was relieved that Amin's demise was well described, so that I the reader, could escape.
This is a very good book, well worth five stars.
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