What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance

In "What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance," a 2019 National Book Award Finalist, Carolyn Forché recounts her transformative journey into the heart of El Salvador's burgeoning conflict. At twenty-seven, Forché encounters a mysterious stranger who draws her into a world of profound inhumanity and resistance. Together, they navigate a landscape marked by extreme peril and moral ambiguity, meeting with military officers, impoverished farmers, and beleaguered clergy. Forché's vivid narrative doesn't just recount the facts; it immerses readers in the emotional and ethical tumult of the time. This memoir is an essential read for college students studying immigrant rights and racial justice, offering a deeply personal lens on activism and empathy. Forché’s story challenges us to consider the impact of witnessing and participating in social struggles, urging a reflection on how far one might go to help others.