N.D.Williams’ Books

Recent reports of riots in the Muslim world over the alleged disrespect shown to the Holy Koran by US interrogators in Guantanamo base as reported by Newsweek prompts me to write this piece.

In today’s world of instant communication where even small events can be amplified by the internet, TV and all the usual traditional media we have to be aware of what is important to other cultures. Certain world centres like London,Paris ,New York, Miami,Toronto where almost every country on earth is represented are filtering points for any cultural insult.

So even though it is tempting for skilled interrogators to use cultural affronts to break down the belief systems of others they must be aware that if this gets out it becomes even if untrue or half true like a thousand roadside bombs waiting to be detonated against anyone from the culture that allegedly perpetrated it.

For anyone who wants to get an understanding of the minefield we are in I heartily recommend a novel wriiten by my friend N.D. Williams–’Ah Mikhail,O Fidel’. Set in the early 1990’s in a Brooklyn Public school in New York it graphically illustrates the post 9/11 complexities.When we enter William’s depiction of the inner city we feel the dizzying tailspin of a super power descending into chaos.

Before we can solve the problems of today we need awareness. We cannot deal with multi cultural issues with a uniculural mindset. Writers like Williams who grew up in multi-cultural societies have insights which came give us the critical responses we need now.



” Ah,Mikhail,O Fidel”



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