Book Wise

What To Do About Injustice? Unpacking “What You Have Heard Is True”

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About the episode

What does it mean to bear witness to injustice?

Never before have humans had such access to firsthand accounts of global resistance due in large part to social media and technology.

But for award-winning American poet and editor Carolyn Forché — witnessing injustice first hand meant being in the fog of war herself, as it unfolded before her in real time.

On this episode of Book Wise, our host Britt Brewer AKA Dr. Books explores themes of injustice, resistance, and compassion by taking us through Forché’s extraordinary, best-selling book, “What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance.”

You’ll learn the importance of trusting your gut, self-reliance, the courage of a few brave souls, and the revolutionary act of compassion.

For those who seek justice in a world of injustice — this episode is for you.

Free Summaries

What You Have Heard is True by Carolyn Forché is a powerful memoir about a young poet's unexpected journey into the heart of El Salvador's political turmoil. At twenty-seven, Forché meets a mysterious man who invites her to witness the growing crisis in his country. She becomes entangled in a world of military officers, impoverished farm workers, and clergy striving to help the poor. As the country edges toward civil war, Forché is both observer and participant, learning about the horrors of political violence and developing a deep sense of social responsibility. Her experiences, from evading death squads to forming deep bonds with those she meets, shape a radical act of empathy and moral awareness. The memoir blends her lyrical prose with the stark realities of war, offering a transformative look at human suffering and courage.