Chasing The Flame was one of the most depressing and tragic books I've ever read. Sergio Vieira de Mello dedicated his entire life to The United Nations, striving to improve the lives of millions of persecuted and impoverished people throughout the world. And Vieira de Mello didn't spend decades behind a desk in New York or Geneva like many other UN workers. He risked his life, time and time again, in some of the most war torn corners of the world. How many can say they gave personal hand to hand, man to man, right in the trenches, help to the people of Lebanon, Cambodia, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo,Rwanda, East Timor, Iraq ... ?
The book is depressing on many levels levels . Sergio had to fight tooth and nail for every accomplishment he was able to achieve in these countries. Firstly, of course, he had to deal with the sadistic despots who ruled these countries. But often, almost as frustrating; he had to deal with in-fighting within the U.N.. Not to mention the blatant incompetence of some of his fellow U.N. workers. Then of course, there was the lack of support from the most important and influential Member Countries when Vieira de Mello and the U.N. needed or requested it. Nowhere was this more evident than in Iraq. Remember of course, that the U.S.A. violated international law by waging war on Iraq without approval of the U.N. Security Council. Despite this, the U.N. did agree to enter Iraq and offer assistance to the "coalition" in an attempt to help rebuild a devastated Iraq. Vieira de Mello was chosen to head this U.N. mission and this final gut wrenching final chapter is when the book truly became tragic.
After a terrorist bomb destroyed The Canal Hotel which The U.N. was using for their headquarters , Veira de Mello lay alive, but trapped and unreachable, for several torturous hours before succumbing to his injuries. I'll end my review with 2 quotes from the book :

"As a result, while the U.S. military possessed state-of-the-art war-fighting equipment, from the time of the blasts at 4:28 p.m. to the time the rescue effort was terminated after dark, the most powerful military in the history of mankind was forced for rescue on brute force, a curtain rope, and a woman's handbag."


"But as his life seeped slowly out of him, there must have been a moment--hopefully not a long one-- when he realized he was every bit as helpless in his time of need as millions of victims had been before him. He died under the Canal Hotel's rubble -- buried beneath the weight of the United Nations itself."
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Sergio Vieira de Mello-a humanitarian, peacemaker and state builder -was at centre of the most significant geopolitical crises of the last half-century. Born in 1948, just as the post-World War II order was taking shape, he died in a terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Iraq in 2003 as the battle lines in the twenty first-century's first great polarizing struggle were being drawn.

Samantha Power does justice to Sergio Viera de Mello. A riveting and unforgettable biography of a man - despite his flaws - will be remembered as a fearless and compassionate human being. ( )

When you combine such a masterful writer as Samantha Power with such a charismatic, intelligent and dedicated statesman like Sergio Vieira de Mello, and add events that have shaped the world so that only the location need be named (Cambodia, Iraq) you should expect one of the best biographies you've ever read. And you won't be disappointed in this case.

Samantha Power is a journalist and her skills of observation and story telling are at a peak as she presents this biography of a man who spent his life working in the UN and serving in some of the most dangerous places in the world.

Sergio Vieira de Mello was the best of what international representatives should be. He was dedicated to his organization, and to the well being of those he was sent to work with. He was committed to improving the lives of ordinary people. He was also a philosopher who strove to understand both the opressed and the oppressors.

This book is an interesting look at some of the major challenges facing countries after civil war or invasion. It also provides deep insight into the workings of the UN and the capacity of the international community to address challenges.

Above all, it's a biography. The chapter on "August 19" is so moving with all the personal impacts of war described in a way that will bring tears to your eyes. Not only the deaths of Sergio and other UN workers, but the courage of the rescuers and the tragic way Sergio's fiancee Carolina was treated.

Read this! ( )

Fascinating. ( )