Barbara J. Tuttle's "The Brave Librarians of Timbuktu" is a non-fiction article that explores the efforts of a group of individuals to save the ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu from destruction by Islamist militants.
In the article, Tuttle presents a highly sympathetic view of Timbuktu and its people. She portrays Timbuktu as a city of great historical and cultural significance, with a rich tradition of scholarship and learning dating back centuries. Tuttle emphasizes the importance of the ancient manuscripts housed in Timbuktu, which she describes as "a treasure trove of knowledge about African history, religion, science, and culture."
Tuttle is also highly critical of the Islamist militants who threatened to destroy these manuscripts. She describes their ideology as "a warped and brutal interpretation of Islam" and portrays their actions as a "cultural genocide." Tuttle presents the librarians and other individuals who worked to save the manuscripts as heroes, risking their lives to protect a crucial aspect of Timbuktu's heritage.
Overall, Tuttle presents a clear and persuasive point of view about the importance of Timbuktu and its cultural heritage, and the need to protect it from those who would seek to destroy it.