Wisdom and the Baobab Tree

"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."

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.

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.

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.

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.