Duncan Green: Book Review – Alex de Waal, “The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa”

There’s a balance to be struck in writing any non-fiction book. Narrative v information. How often do you return to de Waal coverthe overarching storyline, the message of the book, the thing you want the reader to take away? How much information – facts, names, dates, events – do you include? Too much storyline, and the book feels flimsy. Too much information and the reader gets lost in the detail.