Title: ONE FOOT OVER THE EDGE
https://shanemutlowauthor.com
Subtitle: A CANADIAN SOLDIER’S PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE
Author: SHANE MUTLOW
Release Date: AUGUST 5, 2021
Genre: NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHIES AND MEMOIRS, MILITARIA, MENTAL HEALTH, PTSD
Number Of Pages: 133
Publisher: TELLWELL PUBLISHING
Received From: THE AUTHOR
ISBN: 978-0-2288-5987-1
Rating: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DESCRIPTION:
“The scars we show become lighthouses for those about to hit the same rock.”
– ANONYMOUS.
The above is a quote from the screenplay written by Katelyn Wells, adapted from the book ONE FOOT OVER THE EDGE.
A true story of a young Canadian Soldier returning home from a war-torn Rwanda, after witnessing the most horrific genocide since WWII.
Corporal Shane Mutlow was held at gunpoint for two days by local forces, not knowing whether or not he would live to see another day. Labelled “whereabouts unknown” twice and held against his will while on a major operation by Rwandan government officials, Corporal Mutlow was sent off-road every day into unknown territories deep within the Rwandan jungle.
The genocide in Rwanda left Canadian troops completely unprepared for the tragedies they would be subjected to, from the suicide of a brother-in-arms on Christmas Day to returning home from his deployment to a wife and children who would never know the horrors he had endured.
Just six months spent in the midst of the Rwanda genocide would change this young soldier’s life forever.
Shane Mutlow bore witness to what the world wanted to ignore.
This is his story.
Portions of each sale of this book will be donated to Fortitude Farms, a facility which provides equine therapy for those who suffer with mental illness.
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MY REVIEW:
With the Russian invasion into the Ukraine, people are talking about war for the first time in a long time.
As such, it is perhaps the perfect time for people to read Shane Mutlow’s memoir titled; “ONE FOOT OVER THE EDGE – A CANADIAN SOLDIER’S PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE.”
I believe that most Canadians take our military for granted or are unaware of the extent of their involvement in armed conflicts around the world.
One of the worst atrocities in world history was the Genocide in Rwanda.
Canadian soldiers were sent to assist the United Nations Assistance Mission In Rwanda (UNAMIR), author Shane Mutlow was one of those soldiers.
While most of the Canadian soldiers who were sent to Rwanda spent their time in a single area of the capital city and saw little action, this was not the case for Shane Mutlow.
Unfortunately, Shane saw first hand the brutality and horror that has come to be synonymous with the Rwandan “Civil War.”
Written by a member of the military, this book offers civilians a glimpse into the fact that Canadian soldiers put not only their physical well-being on the line, they put their mental health on the line as well.
Historically, members of the military who admit weakness of any kind have been viewed as weak. This type of thinking needs to change.
It is much easier to pretend that their experiences had little or no effect than to admit to needing help. It is for this reason that it is essential that veterans write and speak honestly about their experiences. ONE FOOT OVER THE EDGE does exactly that.
The author has included several photographs which allow the reader to feel more connected to his story.
As a self-published book, it would benefit from a professional editor and proofreader, but these flaws do not take away from the impact of the story. Normally these typographical errors would be enough to drop a couple stars off of the rating I give to a book, but in this case they just add to its authenticity. It is for this reason that I chose to rate “ONE FOOT OVER THE EDGE” as 4 out of 5 Stars. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
**** Thank you to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy or book. ****
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shane Mutlow is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, where he spent time at 1 CDHSR as a radio operator, and at 3 RCR, where he served with a parachute company.
Shane has been to many different countries while serving in the military.
He was deployed on an UN tour, UNAMIR, in Rwanda, Africa, from 1994–1995, and witnessed the aftermath of the genocide caused by the civil war between the Hutu and Tutsi clans.
He has had a successful career working at an engineering firm prior to his retirement in 2014.
His story is twenty years in the making and is one that needs to be told.
This is Shane’s first book, but it will surely give the readers an insight into the horrors and setbacks that our Canadian soldiers and veterans struggle with when they arrive home after being in a theatre of operation.
Shane continues to reside in Pembroke, ON, with his wife Justine and daughter Madison.
His two boys, Nicolas and his daughter Addison, Zachary and his fiancée Avery live out west and frequently come to Pembroke for visits.
To learn more about this author visit the following links:
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ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
Why Self-Publish with Tellwell?
• A full-service team approach: experienced editors, designers and other experts to ensure great quality
• The highest royalties and smartest distribution model in the industry
• Step-by-step guidance so you don’t get confused or stuck
• International reach, with distribution in North America, Europe and beyond
• A caring, small company feel in contrast to a large “factory approach” to publishing
To learn more about this Publisher visit the following links:
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For more information about Canadian veterans and PTSD go to the following websites.
https://www.soldieron.ca
https://www.facebook.com/RwandaVeteranCanada
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