In this compelling debut, Ben Rawlence sets out to gather the news that never travels far---the news of the uneasy peace being made in the towns of Congo's silent quarter. Rather than taking the direct flight suggested by aid workers and mercenaries, he travels by foot, motorbike, and boat, taking his time to meet the people who are making a new life in one of the world's most dangerous places. He introduces us to Colonel Ibrahim, a guerrilla turned army officer: the Lebanese cousins Mohammed & Mohammed, young tin traders shipped to Africa by their family; the talk-show host Mama Christine, who dispenses counsel and courage in equal measure; and the priest Jean-Baptiste, who explains the price of beer and normality. Along the way, Rawlence reveals the real story of Congo, during and after the war, and the seeds of a peaceful future.

Originally published: 2012.

The lost city -- 'What you wanna go there for?' -- Under the volcano -- Meeting the colonel -- Guerrillas in the mist -- Blood cheese -- 'The waves on the lake are not negligible, my dear' -- Outsiders -- A fishless lake -- The return, part I -- Trouble in the Mulenge hills -- The end is nigh -- In search of goats and gold -- A cruise on Tanganyika -- The intelligence director's bath -- The forest people -- 'Inhuman' -- The guns of Moba -- My name is Zongwe -- The return, part II -- The lake of snails -- Eating the neighbours -- Of pigs, rabbits, and popes -- La route principale -- Beer and normality -- The bend in the river -- The price of tin -- Electric dreams -- The news from Manono.