Piercing the Night

Some think of jungles, lions, and snakes; others, of poverty 10,000 miles away. Still others think of coups d'état, medal-bedecked dictators, and economies on the brink.

Come on a journey and see: a young boy in war-time Germany; a guy in his thirties contributing to German/American relations by marrying the commanding general's daughter; an adventurous family's cultural immersion into black Africa; a white man's face-off with AK-47-toting renegade soldiers; a missionary walking the edge, while half a dozen of his friends don't make it.

Post-Amin Uganda was still hell on earth for most. Eb Roell and his wife, Debbie, tried to shine a bit of light into the darkness. If, beyond surviving, they succeeded, then it wasn't because of intelligence, experience, or daring - it was, as the song says, due to "Amazing Grace."

This book will put you into Africa. It will help you see how it works - or doesn't. Culture, politics, language, the white elephants of misguided western aid, the drama of staying alive while trying to effect a difference - it's all there. So have a seat and take a trip.