A Man of Good Hope

[A] testament to the human spirit… An epic African saga that chronicles some fundamental modern issues such as crime, human trafficking, migration, poverty and xenophobia, while giving glimpses into the Somali clan system, repression in Ethiopia and lethal racism in townships… [Steinberg] has delivered a strong insight into the lives of those buffeted by conflict and violence in this tale of a refugee driven by ambition, pride and dreams. Ultimately, it is a powerful testament to the resilience of humanity – Ian Birrell * Observer *
[A Man of Good Hope] tells one man’s extraordinary and moving story, revealing the reality of life at the bottom of the world’s worst pile. – Richard Dowden * The Times *
A masterpiece. Steinberg has illuminated a modern African odyssey to brilliant effect. – Martin Meredith, author of The State of Africa
What a brave, important book. Steinberg’s writing is so human, so humane and so honest. Through the remarkable tale of the truly astonishing character of Asad Abdullahi, Steinberg returns all of us from the despair of distance to the dignity of brotherhood. Steinberg stands shoulder to shoulder with other great writers who have also made sensible and visible so much that might otherwise remain insensible and invisible out of the political and human tragedies all too common in Africa - Michela Wrong, Ryszard Kapuscinski and Ishmael Beah. Steinberg’s central question is one for all of us: what does it means to live a “fully human life” and whom among us has either the courage or the luck to live that life? – Alexandra Fuller
An engrossing book… The humanity, suffering and bravery of Mr Abdullahi are palpable and make A Man of Good Hope a book well worth reading. * The Economist *
You come away from it full of admiration for the subject’s resilience and the writer’s forensic compassion, but not without a certain despair too. – Dan Brotzel, 5 stars * UK Press Syndication *
A real-life picaresque tale, it doesn’t contain a single dull sentence… hugely topical at a time when Europe is contemplating what it means to be a refugee… extraordinarily poignant. – Michela Wrong * Spectator *
An extraordinary account of resilience that ends on a hopeful note. – Colette Sheridan * Irish Examiner *
A well written account. – Nicholas Cutler * Nudge *

Jonny Steinberg was born in South Africa. He is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including Midlands and The Number, which both won the Sunday Times Alan Paton Prize (South Africa’s premier non-fiction literary award). He is currently a lecturer in African Studies and Criminology at the University of Oxford.

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