A multi award-winning, historically-accurate memoir which the Smithsonian displays in its Anacostia Museum Library
Little about Conrad Taylor's upbringing in a remote mining town deep in the impenetrable tropical rain forests of Guyana prepared him for West Point. An extraordinary opportunity for most, attending the highly-regimented United States Military Academy was a life-changer for him. Enduring culture shock, navigating rude awakenings, and surviving the rigorous West Point experience hardened Taylor for return to a Guyanese government which had become a dictatorship overnight. Paranoid about regime change and now anti-American, leaders of the dictatorship were fearful the young graduate had become a spy for the United States.
With authentic samples of Guyanese life both before and after West Point alongside a vivid description of his time at the military academy, Taylor’s book chronicles the hardships he faced and the eventual epic journey to freedom that he made back to the US. The narrative charts a sometimes-humorous journey of resilience, hope, survival, and love. Its revelations will be nostalgic for some, shocking to many, and enlightening for others.
“Conrad Taylor's captivating memoir is an extremely interesting read, thanks to Taylor's talent for illustrating his life's journey in such a fascinating way. Difficult to put down until the end. For those looking to be inspired, as well as broaden their knowledge about Guyana and Third World political affairs, this commendable memoir is highly recommended.” —Lit Amri
(Group read suggestion from Beth McCrea, book club co-founder.)