From the promise of liberation to the perils of statehood, this book offers a definitive account of the South Sudanese state. It begins with the foundations of the independence movement, captures the intoxicating euphoria of a nation's birth, and meticulously analyzes the political and social fractures that led to its collapse into conflict and destitution. A reflective and essential read, it provides not just an explanation of the past, but concrete recommendations for securing a peaceful and prosperous future for South Sudan.