Wisdom and the Baobab Tree

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The night of Adam Edwards's arrival from the US had been a restless one in Kayemba City. As dusk enveloped the capital of the country of Kombonia in Central Africa kerosene lanterns flickered lit. A smoky smelly haze combining the scents of spices waste and charcoal wafted through the narrow streets which were crowded with people cars and livestock. By 9 P.M. however an eerie calm took hold.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Thus begins a compelling story lived through the eyes of Adam Edwards; a young intelligent and well-meaning but somewhat naïve American. He finds himself thrust into a maelstrom of intrigue violence competing relationships and political crisis in the African nation of Kombonia. He arrives in-country as Kombonia lurches towards what could be the most democratic election in the country's history despite many complicating forces and factors at play. Or a failed election could plunge the country into chaos and even civil war. Kombonia thus reflects the challenges faced by many societies in Africa and around the world struggling to cast off authoritarian rule and embrace democracy.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Adam directs a project funded by the U.S. government to help promote legitimate elections in collaboration with a Kombonian civil society group. He also embarks upon a questionable relationship with a Kombonian journalist who may have more at stake in the elections than what appears initially. Events evolve and build up to a crisis in which Adam must make a life-changing decision about how to act.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>This book addresses themes of failure redemption growth and maturation. They are explored along two related tracks - key character personal development and Kombonia's halting and tentative evolution from autocracy towards democracy. It contains a positive and optimistic conclusion - which nonetheless has a hook to it.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 55 0 1)>The author has spent much of his career focused on the promotion of democracy and human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has worked directly for and as a consultant to a wide range of international aid agencies including the US Agency for International Development the United Nations Development Program the World Bank and non-and for-profit organizations active on the continent. He is also a former U.S. diplomat focusing on African affairs. Since 2000 he has taught international development at the University of Vermont. He has also been a professor of political science at Binghamton University and Middlebury College.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>