What are your impressions of Eggers' presentation?

Now that you've had a chance to hear Eggers talk about his work and his travels to Sudan, how has your understanding of the book changed? Other impressions?

Valentino Achak Deng's website

http://valentinoachakdeng.org/

Dave Eggers and Valentino Achak Deng on Youtube

Valentino doing the Authors@Google series (almost an hour long):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V7MeewG_MU

Dave Eggers on Charlie Rose (you may have to let it load and then scroll
over to it):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLMezTQN21M

Another relevant film

And another link to the trailer for the Javier Bardem film Invisibles;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZCDhqDlEkk

Some Films Pertinent to the Humanitarian Crises in Sudan, and Beyond

The Lost Boys of Sudan

http://www.lostboysfilm.com/

Invisible Children

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php

God Grew Tired of Us

http://www.godgrewtiredofus.com/

Darwin's Nightmare

http://www.darwinsnightmare.com/

Please add links to relevant films.

What are your thoughts on What is the What?

Consider the following questions:
1. What character traits of Valentino’s are most useful to him in surviving the deterioration of Sudan? Were these traits useful in adapting to American life?

2. What barriers to assimilation do the Sudanese face? What are the big lessons about life in America they must learn?

3. Who are the “heroes” or role models the Sudanese refugees look up to most? What do these people, in Africa or in the US, have in common? How are they different?

4. Why do you suppose Eggers wrote this in first person? Does it matter if the events depicted in the book are historically true or not?

5. Both you and Valentino are in the early stages of your college experience. How is his motivation to get a college education different from or similar to yours?

6. What are the limits of our responsibility to people in other parts of the world?

Post your answers here...or just join the discussion!