Mesfin Tadesse is an Ethiopian engineer. How he survived the Communist Derg and served his people through work is an inspiring story. Never would Mesfin or his family compromise mother or country. His mother was Falasha, which is Ethiopian Jewish. From her, he gained unique insights into an ancient culture comprised of geniuses. He shares these in Lucy's People; Ianet Bastyan is an Australian teacher & librarian. Mesfin told her about Ethiopian culture. Ianet said, 'What is it like to live in Ethiopia?' In 2016, they visited, then wrote his inspirational memoir. Ianet's grandfathers were soldiers and farmers. They faced the 1930s Depression. It was nothing compared to survival under the Ethiopian communist Derg 1974-91.
These reviews were for the 1st edition. In 13 years, I have not read an Ethiopian book like this one. It is genuine and tells the truth fearlessly. Amazingly, this story has come to us from Australia. For more than 4 centuries, Arabic nations and Europe have frequently been hostile towards Ethiopia. They have proven to be a unique enemy to Lucy's people. This is because they are unforgiving. Today, Europeans, Americans and Middle Easterners attack in many ways. Recently, they have been a huge headache. For example, we have not been left in peace to build a dam on our own Blue Nile River. It starts in the middle of Ethiopia, crosses Sudan and flows to Egypt, yet they oppose our own hydroelectricity and irrigation project for agriculture. The authors of Lucy's People: An Ethiopian Memoir reside in Australia. Because of this, they have a refreshing perspective on the treatment of Ethiopia by outsiders. Wake up world. Read this book. ___ Around the World. Review of Lucy's People: An Ethiopian Memoir, by Mesfin Tadesse & Ianet Bastyan. Justice Magazine, May 1-2, 2020. Translated by Mesfin Tadesse. This is a gripping story, well told. ___ Sheger FM Radio 102.1, April 28, 2020. Translated by Mesfin Tadesse.