Review of Martin Ganzglass: Somalia Short Fiction Collection
Somalia: Short Fiction by Martin R. Ganzglass (Somalia 1966-68) Peace Corps Writers,$7.99 (paperback); $2.99 (Kindle) 356 pages 2012 Reviewed by Baker H. Morrow (Somalia 1968-69) In this book of stories about Somalia set mostly in the sixties, Martin Ganzglass (Somalia 1966-68) works hard to give us a taste of the place: the names of the famous old hotels (the Croce del Sud and the Giuba in Mogadiscio), the nicknames that the Somalis love to hang about the necks of friend and enemy alike (Af-Chir/Mouse Mouth; Bashir Goray/the Ostrich), and gritty place descriptions (the Mad Mullah’s fort at Taleh in the North; the ruins of Mogadiscio in the nineties, the era of the warlords). He succeeds in many ways. His characters are Italian colonials, Peace Corps types, and local people caught up in the heady days of early independence after 1960. The problem Mr. Ganzglass wrestles with in dealing with Somalia, a . . .
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Dear Baker, Thanks for reviewing Marty's book. I hope your comments encourage people to buy it and read it. I…