Mr Carpenter’s memoir tells the story of a country, a conflict, and the institution of peacekeeping through the eyes of a senior American military officer working on the ground.
South Sudan is rich in natural resources, and its fertile soil could make it the breadbasket of East Africa.
Yet, it remains the poorest and most corrupt country in the region, plagued by disease, famine, and ethnic strife.
Abductions, sexual violence, death, and displacement affect tens of thousands of people each year.
Despite global leaders claiming that they have done everything possible to help South Sudan help itself, the United Nations is still struggling to fulfil its mandate to protect civilians and safeguard the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Bringing the reader to the forefront of action, Blue Helmet describes how modern peacekeeping missions are organised and overseen, shedding light on some of the contradictions at the heart of peacekeeping.
It is a story that is eye-opening, unsettling, and always compelling.
Mr Carpenter is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, a veteran of America’s “Long Wars” who served in the U.S. Army and Marines for a total of 29 years, from Afghanistan to Japan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
He has written for the Washington Post and is the author of Steven Pressfield’s The Warrior Ethos: One Marine Officer’s Critique and Counterpoint.
Mr Carpenter founded the non-profit organisation ‘World Without War,’ to which he is donating his royalties from Blue Helmet.
He now lives in Melbourne with his wife and their ever-changing assortment of foster kittens.
He will be visiting Cobram Library on Thursday, April 23 at 2.30pm.
Euroa Library: Wednesday, April 22 at 2.30pm.
Mooroopna Library: Thursday, April 23 at 6.30pm.
To book, call 1300 374 765 or email gvlibraries@gvlibraries.com.au.
14°C