The Dung Beetles of Liberia

by Daniel V. Meier Jr.

Liberia’s The beginning of the end.

2019 Grand Prize Winner - Red City Review

Based on the remarkable true account of a young American who landed in Liberia in 1961.

The story weaves drama, dark comedy, and romance throughout a rich tapestry of narration - The San Francisco Book Review

KEN VERRIER IS NOT HAPPY, NOR AT PEACE. He is experiencing the turbulence of Ishmael and the guilt of his brother's death. His sudden decision to drop out of college and deal with his demons shocks his family, his friends, and especially his girlfriend, soon to have been his fiancee. His Liberia - The richest country in Africa both in monetary wealth and in natural resources.

NOTHING COULD HAVE PREPARED HIM FOR THE EXPERIENCES HE WAS ABOUT TO LIVE THROUGH. Ken quickly realizes that he has arrived in a place where he understands very little of what is considered normal, where the dignity of life has little meaning, and where he can trust no one.

Flying into the interior bush as a transport pilot, Ken learns quickly. He witnesses, first-hand, the disparate lives of the Liberian "Country People? and the "Congo People" also known as Americo-Liberians. These descendants of President Monroe's American Colonization Policy that sent freed slaves back to Africa in the 1800's have set up a strict hierarchical society not unlike the antebellum South.

Author Dan Meier describes Ken's many escapades, spanning from horrifying to whimsical, with engaging and fast-moving narrative that ultimately describes a society upon which the wealthy are feeding and in which the poor are being buried.

It's a novel that will stay with you long after the last word has been read.

Genres: Africa, Liberia

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2019

About the author

A retired Aviation Safety Inspector for the FAA, Daniel V. Meier, Jr. has always had a passion for writing. During his college years, he studied History at The University of North Carolina Wilmington and American Literature at The University of Maryland Graduate School. In 1980 he was published by Leisure Books under the pen name of Vice Daniels. He also worked briefly for the Washington Business Journal as a journalist and has been a contributing writer/editor for several aviation magazines.

Dan and his wife live in Owings, Maryland, about twenty miles south of Annapolis and when he's not writing, they spend their summers sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a life!
To fly...
Travel..
Help..

This was interesting. Almost all the rules well I mean rather the rule of law went out the window!
He soon got the hang of things but boy someone, a would be co-worker, died the first day he arrived.
He meets woman and men from around the globe some still nazi's our boy had to walk out on when they got drunk and got to goosestepping!

He had quite an adventure. Someone tried to rob him and that person lived to regret his actions as our man quickly understood why on day one his boss told him to get a gun immediately. He uses it to save his life and the lives of others too!

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you review or better yet, rate a book that's based on true events? Especially if you were never a witness of these events?

I am overly critical of books that are set in Africa, because one I am African and two there have been so many tales written that do not depict Africa as a friendly continent. So, believe me when I say that I was skeptical at first and kept reading this book waiting to call out the author on anything I felt offended by.

I had to set the book aside after the first chapter and read it for what the author or any author intends his/her work to be- a story. So, I read it and enjoyed Ken's insights, he starts off conflicted, the loss of his brother and his yearning for meaningful engagement sees him travel to Liberia. He's naive and expects the very best of people but he learns that not everyone welcomes struggle or the desire to advance and acquire wealth like he does, and slowly his experiences unravel just how far people can go to get what they want.

It's an intriguing read and I'd give it 4 stars.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Friscomama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a fairly close friend from Liberia, and that influenced me to check out the book, and to go for 4 stars.

With some of the background being short on details, it wasn't clear on why the protagonist wanted to drop out of college and get involved with a fairly dangerous job, leaving his girlfriend to go to Liberia, and drink a lot of alcohol. He has a girlfriend back home, and a girlfriend in Liberia, and then someone's wife, then the peace corp woman . .. rather a jerk, but the book is a coming-of-age story. He was 19 when he went to Africa, maybe not really understanding what he was getting himself into. By the end of the book, he has learned much by his mistakes and close calls.

There are many adventures with the airplanes and the contrast of living in the U.S., Monrovia, and in the bush. No spoilers here.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lucinda Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers’ Favorite review

The Dung Beetles of Liberia by Daniel V Meier is the story of a young college undergraduate at Cornell who drops out of school to take a job flying planes in Liberia. He leaves behind his astonished family and his almost-fiancé in a bid to escape the demons that plague him over the death of his brother. He’s learned that Liberia is one of the richest countries in Africa and has high expectations of what he will find there. America had repatriated many slaves in the 1800’s and established a democracy and infrastructure. What young Kenneth found was the true state of Africa with its own interpretation of life, morals and ethics. It shocks him to the core. Life is cheap, the hierarchy is absolute, the poor are driven to the point of extinction and he finds himself rubbing shoulders with other hard-drinking, wild and unprincipled expatriates.

Before writing my review of The Dung Beetles of Liberia by Daniel V Meier, since it was written in the first person, I had to research to see if this was a personal memoir. No, but it is based on a true account of life there at the time – which I suspect has changed very little. This is possibly the most honest tale of Africa I have ever read. It may not sound as politically correct as other books set in similar places, but the author brilliantly highlights the cheapness of life, the lack of compassion, the willingness of the poor and downtrodden to accept their lot in life. Many readers may simply not believe the tales told with such pathos and humour but I can assure them that life is as wild and undisciplined as they are recounted. Kenneth Verrier is a typical young American from a good family who is shocked to the core with what he encounters. Flying small planes delivering equipment to the mines – and a little diamond smuggling on the side – pays no attention to overloading, air traffic rules, non-existent runways and centre of gravity safety regulations. Little by little Kenneth learns to adapt but never loses his humanity. He is a likeable hero, and tells his story simply, honestly and clearly. I loved this book, one of the best I have read in a long, long time and find it difficult to believe the author did not spend most of his life in Africa as he has grasped the problems, the customs and the mindset so truthfully. Highly recommend reading – in fact this should be on the prescribed reading list of every high school as a window on a continent with a different way of life and a different mindset. Welcome to the world of Africa.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book because of the graphic cover but that turned out to be one of the stronger points of this book. The opening passage sets the tone, which I'm sure is accurate to a certain experience of expat pilots at the time but the boys club atmosphere wasn't appealing to me. I was confused if the book was a memoir or a novel... I didn't find it to have enough personal reflection to be a good memoir but also not enough plot or character development to be a novel. The setting and adventures were interesting, intriguing and exciting enough to keep me reading. I thought Jenny and Ken's family back home were seriously short changed, and that Sam was an interesting addition to Ken's life and story I would have liked to hear more about. The casual racism and escaping-Nazi subplot made me uncomfortable and usually seemed played for shock-value, only occasionally unpacking the moral implications. Overall, an adventure driven white man's perspective on a certain slice of expat aviators' boys club life.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of this book was my first attraction to it. I was pleased to find, inside its pages, polished writing that kept me wanting to read.

The story has humor, well-written dialogue, tension, and attention to detail in its descriptions.

The Dung Beetles of Liberia is a book well worth reading, and I’m glad I had the chance to check it out.

[Jacob V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a very good read. I enjoyed how you never knew what was really coming in the next chapter, and the book really got me interested in Liberia specifically and West Africa in general, and the stories were told from a very matter-of-fact perspective without a partisan message -- something that I consider to be ideal when talking about such a very complicated thing as African politics.

I enjoyed how it was 'light reading' in the sense that it was entertaining and it did not require you to pay close attention to any specific plot or anything, yet it also had a lot of deep & wholesome moments that I will remember.

I'd recommend the book to anyone.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this captivating novel based on true events, Meier intimately describes seven years of Ken Verrier’s life as a transport pilot in Liberia, the richest country in Africa, after the latter drops out of college and leaves America in his quest for identity and to fight his inner demons.

Meier’s precise prose is vivid and yet straightforward as he details contrasting lives of the common Liberian population and the privileged Americo-Liberians. A fascinating evocation of 1960s Liberia, the novel explores the commonly accepted system of bribery and the arbitrary division between the masses.

It will definitely appeal to fans of literary fiction as well as lovers of non-fiction. An engrossing read that is both informative and entertaining.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several years ago a close friend of mine moved from the good old USA into the backcountry of Central America. It was a bold move on his part, but as the next couple of years unfolded I became mesmerized by his tales of adventure and occasional danger. I thought they were so intriguing that I tried to get him to write them down and attempt to get them published. He didn't but apparently the friends of Dan Meier had better luck. His first-person narrative, of life in western Africa, is a winner and his adventurous tales are even more exciting. I don't know how much is fiction and how much is true, but it doesn't matter. I was hooked, from the beginning to the end. His protagonist, Kenneth Verrier is a somewhat naive and likable young man who learns to survive and grapple with his new and exotic surroundings in Liberia, and as he grows and matures, so does the reader. Libera, during the sixties, was an independent nation with an unusual history for an African nation, with strong historical ties to the United States, rather than Europe but under the rule of a strong man and with an elitist ruling culture. A great deal of money was to be made with the right connections, although the outcome was not always predictable and often dangerous. Ken's laissez-faire personality and rugged individualism come into play at this point and he takes the reader along for the journey. If you're a fan of aviation adventures, as I am, then you're in for a real treat because Ken's past experience as a private pilot leads him to become a commercial bush pilot, and it evolves to become the thrust of the story. This appears to be Meier's first novel but I hope it's not his last because I can foresee a lot more adventures for “badass Ken vee will call you”; his new nick-name given to him by his fellow pilots.

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Rachel Dehning for Reader Views (2/20)

“The Dung Beetles of Liberia” by Daniel V. Meier, Jr. is about a young underclassman, Ken Verrier, trying to figure out his life. On the outside, Ken appears as if he has it all together – he is attending a prestigious college to obtain a degree in physics and has a very attractive and attentive girlfriend by his side. What not everyone may know is that Ken has had a traumatic experience take place that has caused him to rethink his life decisions and choose to shift his aspirations to different avenues in order to do some self-discovering.

On a whim, he informs his parents and his girlfriend that he is taking inspiration from Ishmael by putting a pause on his degree and finding a job as a commercial pilot – a passion of his. Liberia, Africa is where Ken chooses as his destination. With some called-in favors, he acquires the necessary papers and is soon flying. Being from the United States, Ken finds that his co-workers, as well as everyone around him, are much different than what he is used to. Working alongside ex-Nazis, and figuring out who the “untouchables” are (aka the ones with the money who run the area), all contribute to the stories he has to tell about his time spent flying, and how the rich are very rich, while the poor are barely hanging in there.

Ken’s experiences as a pilot in Liberia most certainly are appropriate to be recorded for an audience; I cannot even imagine having to live through it all myself. Being a citizen of Liberia for as long as he did, he proved his citizenship by taking on the diseases, turmoil, and culture of the land.

I found the cover of the book to be very appropriate – the color, the outline of the beetle with the diamond and the gun in its center are all important aspects of Ken’s experiences. While Ken's life was recorded with action and adventure, the style in which Meier wrote the book would not be considered an “action and adventure” type of story, but more so in the style of a memoir with recordings of a man’s time spent flying airplanes with various cargo and people and the things he had to endure and work through in those times.

I believe the audience for this story would be those who enjoy stories of other cultures, as well as historical fiction. “The Dung Beetles of Liberia” by Daniel V. Meier, Jr. is highly recommended reading!

[Billy Buttons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
10th Oct 2019

TITLE: THE DUNG BEETLES OF LIBERIA, A Novel Based on True Events
Author: Daniel V Meier Jr
Star Rating: 4 stars

‘Perfect for anybody who enjoys a gritty thriller and a little African history too.’ A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review

REVIEW
Firstly, I must say the title is excellent. There’s nothing better than a cleverly thought-out, enticing title that’s sort of ‘out of the box’. A wonderful title like this suggests to me the book is going to be pretty wonderful too. And I’m delighted to say, it is!
So, let’s begin with the plot. Basically, the story follows a young man who, in the 1960s, suddenly jets of to Africa to work as a pilot. What follows is a well-plotted mix of oddball characters and a lot of (very) short take offs and landings. Ken, the (sort of) hero of the story is in many ways not a hero at all. In fact, in many ways, he’s a bit of a selfish git. But he’s on a steep learning curve in this well-paced novel. There’s a long, long list of elements to this story, from political bribery to falling in love, from the Cold War to drinking and flying. And it’s all written with a gold-tipped pen.
As it happens, I’m a pilot myself with thousands of hours in my logbook. So I very much enjoyed the ‘flying’ elements to the story. And, from what I remember, the author’s got it right in terms of the technical aspects of flying and the way a pilot feels when he/she is trying to put the plane down on a short strip of runway.
In all all, this is a fun, exciting, often unpredictable adventure. The writing is pacey with a good mix of ‘showing the setting’ and ‘keep things moving’. Personally, I felt the author was most comfortable with the flying parts, and not so much on any love interest Ken had or, indeed, the growing political problems of the country. But there’s plenty in here to keep any reader interested, particularly if they have an interest in African history and also happen to enjoy a thrilling, often gritty adventure.
Enjoy!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk

[Kris Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review for THE DUNG BEETLES OF LIBERIA.

Even though it’s been many months since I read THE DUNG BEETLES OF LIBERIA by Dan Meier, I have waited awhile to let the book “simmer” before thinking about writing a review. I always do that. I think about books long after I have finished reading them, massaging my memory of them and pulling out what resonates with me.

The most enjoyable for me are books that describe culture, history and how characters evolve. This book brought all three.

Liberia’s culture and history were interrupted dramatically 200 years ago when U.S. President Monroe helped our own freed slaves to return to Africa where they settled in Liberia. Now they are called Americo-Liberians or “Congo People.” The upheaval must have been similar to what Chinua Achebe wrote about in his magnificent work, THINGS FALL APART. The settled routines of culture and political life were disrupted and forcibly pushed onto a very different path.

In the 1960’s Liberians were living with German ex-Nazis, Israeli spies, missionaries and employees of powerful global oil and mineral companies. The author skillfully delves into the idiosyncrasies of this cultural soup of foreigners, and he further describes Liberian culture complete with dialect, folklore and a complicated political underlayment.

Ken Verrier, who dropped out of Cornell to fly for an air transport company in Liberia, has to make sense of everything very quickly. From his first day Ken is struck with the need to make quick decisions before disaster strikes. His adventures are funny and frightening at the same time. Ken has to learn quickly how to negotiate the cobwebs of the life he had dropped himself into. Ken grew up.

Definitely worth reading, I’m hoping that the author will continue this story so I can see what happens next as the darkness of civil war looms.

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden along the Eastern coast of Africa is the small coastal country of Liberia, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte D’Noire. Upon closer look at the country, we see the small, yet large by Liberia standards, town of Monrovia. But how does one get here? How does anyone find themselves among the dung beetles in Liberia along a grassy airstrip relieving themselves of intestinal problems and trying not to be overtaken by zealous beetles who feed on feces?

Kenneth Verrier suddenly understands Ishmael’s desire in “Moby Dick” to run away. After the loss of his own brother, Arthur, Ken decides to leave his safe, secure, and protected world of Cornell, in New York State, to pursue his interests in flying. With a pilot’s certificate, a rated flight instructor, and some knowledge in aircraft maintenance, Ken is determined to go someplace warm. At the behest of his father, they settle on Liberia, tied to the U.S. in history and dollar, with people who speak English and a country seemingly being developed at a quick pace, the wealth housed within the country makes it seem like a great fit.

From gaining his visa, to converting his pilot’s license, and understanding the navigation of the land, it becomes increasingly obvious Liberia is no Virginia. With questionable coworkers, and even more questionable leaders, readers can’t help but be shocked by Kenneth’s change in scenery. Author Daniel V. Meier Jr. enjoyably shares Kenneth’s plight, punishment, and piloting in this foreign country. Based on true events, the humor, horrors, and headaches of Liberian culture are on full display.

Meiers has this inescapable way of penning foreign lands in a way that connects and draws readers in. With a strong grasp on the countryside, and characters that boldly go forth, “The Dung Beetles of Liberia” is an experience readers won’t soon forget.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite books are ones in which I am immersed into an unknown time and place, and this time it was Liberia in the 1960s. I knew next to nothing about this country at during time period and I was immediately swept away into that world. The descriptive writing was beautiful and truly transported me. The themes of class divide, corruption and a foreigner living in a new country, as well as the eccentric characters reminded me of Gregory David Roberts’ Shantaram, though on a smaller scale.

Though the German and Liberian dialogue was challenging to read (“Dast ist our vetter service”), the cast of characters in the story were varied and interesting. Each character, from the strong, confident women to the Nazi’s to the Big Men to the Mandingos, added a new layer to the story. I found myself laughing aloud as often as I found myself cringing from Ken’s adventures in and around the jungle.

At the end of the book, I wondered, “What’s next for Ken? How was his reentry into the United States? And what happened with his relationship?” I was left wanting more, in the best way, and I hope there is a sequel.

My thanks to BookSirens for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in any way.

[Karol Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you, like me, find the emergence of 21st century Liberia, West Africa puzzling yet compelling, you might find this book fascinating. Told from the point of view of a young white pilot from the U.S. trying to escape his personal demons, the book documents the lifestyle, manipulation, and often lawlessness of Liberia and its bordering countries. The middle class protagonist's ability to adapt to the wild and wooly lifestyle amazed me. His entitlement attitude, displayed throughout the book, added a j'ne sais qua quality that I found surprising. I finished this book in two days and have already started Book 2 in the 2-book series, so clearly I want to learn more. The only other book about Liberia by a white man that I thought captured the essence of the country was The Darling by Russell Banks. If you are at all interested in the goings on in 1960s Liberia, this book is for you.

Liberia is the closest thing the U.S. has to an African Colony, even if we try to pretend it's not. Learning about how it was exploited for personal gain is something I think each U.S. citizen should be aware of.

[Kate Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I can’t say for certain that it was a damp, drizzly November of the soul or that I wished to be called Ishmael, but events had reached a turning point."

After his older brother’s tragic death, Ken Verrier drops out of his classes at Cornell University in the summer of 1961 to opt for life as a transport pilot in West Africa. The ever-present dung beetles become a metaphor for the various groups he flies from the capital, Monrovia, and into the bush. All of these groups seem to be seeking to “roll” something out of Liberia. The Americo-Liberians live as “big men” at the top of the national social ladder. The missionaries and Peace Corps volunteers seek to do good. Meanwhile, the diplomats, politicians, international corporations, hustlers, ex-Nazis, and Israeli Nazi-hunters are all scrambling to manifest their agendas and reap profit amidst a mosaic of tribal cultures . . .

Read more at The US Review of Books -
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/T...

[Stanjay Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Experiencing the country of my family’s origin through the eyes of a White American man in the 1960s was an unexpected but compelling journey. I appreciated this book for its deeply personal and honest perspective—one that’s rarely told. Ken, the protagonist, was an intriguing and complex character. He arrived in Liberia in early adulthood, escaping the pain of his brother’s death and chasing a career in aviation. Along the way, he battled illness (particularly GI issues, which are common when adjusting to a new environment), grappled with unprocessed grief, and navigated lost love, newfound romance, and meaningful friendships with locals. His story was layered with moments of both levity and gravity, which made for a rich and enjoyable read. That said, the narrator’s awkward attempts at the Liberian accent and English were distracting at times—but even so, the story held its power.

[Gary Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on true events, the book reads more like a biography or memoir than a novel. That said, I was entertained and informed throughout the entire book. Set in the early 1960s, it's the story of a Cornell sophomore whose older brother has died. The protagonist has some head problems because he is in love with his dead brother's girlfriend. The protagonist is an accomplished pilot and flight trainer. He goes to Liberia, a country with few laws, an interesting selection of infectious diseases, and massive corruption. The country is swimming in cash, but only a little drips down to the common man (see some similarities to the US today?)

[Julius Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few novels manage to be both intensely personal and socially expansive, but The Dung Beetles of Liberia accomplishes this with remarkable skill. Meier’s writing is sharp, immersive, and emotionally honest, drawing readers into 1960s Liberia with vivid detail and moral complexity. The story’s balance of action, reflection, and social critique sets it apart from typical historical or African set fiction. This is a novel that challenges the reader while rewarding them with insight and depth.

[Leslie G Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delight to Read

I lived on a rubber plantation in Liberia in the mid-1970s. This author presents an authentic portrayal of this west African nation. The rumblings of dissent were present when I was there and erupted not long after I left. The inequality was staggering. I look forward to reading his next book.

[Alicia Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing semi-true adventure!

Liberia in the 60’s, both a spectacular paradise and a raw, perilous jungle society! For a young American with a tragic past in search of himself, the perfect destination. Read it for some fascinating insights!

[David Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting yarn that shows one of Africa’s more curious political/cultural entities on the brink of its reckoning with history.

[R. M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting story. This one really opens your eyes!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Dung Beetles of Liberia” by Daniel V. Meier, Jr. is about a young underclassman, Ken Verrier, trying to figure out his life. To the outside, Ken appears as if he has it all together- he is attending a prestigious college to obtain a degree in physics and has a very attractive and attentive girlfriend by his side. What not everyone may know is that Ken has had a traumatic experience take place that has caused him to rethink his life decisions and choose to shift his aspirations to different avenues in order to do some self-discovering. On a whim, he informs his parents and his girlfriend that he is taking inspiration from Ishmael by putting a pause on his degree and finding a job as a commercial pilot- a passion of his. Liberia, Africa is where Ken chooses as his destination. With some called-in favors, he acquires the necessary papers and is soon flying. Being from the United States, Ken finds that his co-workers, as well as everyone around him, are much different than he is used to. Working alongside ex-Nazis, and figuring out who the “untouchables” are (aka the ones with the money who run the area) all contribute to the stories he has to tell about his time spent flying, and how the rich are very rich, while the poor are barely hanging in there.
Ken’s experiences as a pilot in Liberia most certainly are appropriate to be recorded for an audience; I cannot even imagine having to live through it all myself. Being a citizen of Liberia for as long as he did, he proved his citizenship by taking on the diseases, turmoil, and culture of the land. I found the cover of the book to be appropriate-the color, the outline of the beetle with the diamond and the gun in its center are all important aspects of Ken’s experiences. While Ken's life was recorded with action and adventure, the style in which Meier wrote the book would not be considered an “action and adventure” type of story, but more so in the style of recordings of a man’s time spent flying airplanes with various cargo and people and the things he had to endure and work through in those times. I believe the audience for this story would be those who enjoy stories of other cultures, as well as historical fiction.

[Patricia M. Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ken is a sympathetic hero that is easy to identify with. His story is beautifully written with engaging narrative and descriptive prose that puts you right in 1960’s Liberia. This is a story that should be told.