TWO WEEKS IN THE TRENCHES
Reminiscences of Childhood and War in Eritrea

by Alemseged Tesfai

Murray Last, editor from Journal of Modern African Studies notes that he found “The Heart,” one of the short stories in the book, “...more captivating than the first time around. Of course, the rhythms of the sentences, the restrained poetry of some of the phrasing and words, were as much a delight as before. It reads extraordinarily well in English (it makes me wonder how the original Tigrinya sounds), with its clarity, its near-simplicity of expression. I could imagine it being read aloud....”

Murray Last, the eminent editor of Journal of Modern African Studies, says about Two Weeks in the Trenches, “ I found it so moving that I couldn’t put it down....”

He further notes that he found “The Heart,” one of the short stories in the book, “...more captivating than I did the first time around. Of course, the rhythms of the sentences, the restrained poetry of some of the phrasing and words, were as much a delight as before. It reads extraordinarily well in English (it makes me wonder how the original Tigrinya sounds), with its clarity, its near-simplicity of expression. I could imagine it being read aloud....”

“Heart” is a word used in Tigrinya more than in most languages, and the heart is at the center of Alemseged Tesfai’s writing. Ranging from the heart of children and families to the heart of Eritrea’s struggle for independence, Two Weeks in the Trenches is the testimony of Alemseged Tesfai’s own heart, too. It quickens when confronted with all that remains of one particular soldier after a battle—just a human organ, a heart in the dust—and the result is an unforgettable story of war that is worthy to join the most ancient and eloquent chorus of all peace.”

-Charles Cantalupo
Co-translator of We have Our Voice (RSP, 2000) and We Invented the Wheel (RSP, 2002)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
“ALEMSEGED TESFAI, lawyer turned freedom fighter, is a pre-eminent historian and dramatist. A quarter of a century ago, Alemseged abandoned a promising academic career to join the fledgling Ertirean Peoples Liberation Front to fight for Eritrea’s freedom. He used his prodigious literary talent to the nationalist cause, effectively marrying culture and liberation. He has written several books and plays. Two Weeks in the Trenches, a translation of an earlier account in Tigrinya of the Battle of Afabet, is without doubt the most important battle that marked the beginning of the end of Ethiopian occupation of Eritrea. Here, Alemseged shares with the readers a searing eyewitness account of bravery and valor in the face of death.”

- Tekie Fessehtzion
Chair and Professor of Economics at Morgan State University & Author of Shattered Illusion, Broken Promise (RSP, 2002)

CATEGORY
Fiction/AFRICA