Against the Current: How Albert Schweitzer Inspired a Young Man's Journey

by Clarinda Higgins, William Armstrong

“Against the Current” recounts the African adventures of Mark Higgins, the 18-year-old scion of a New England industrial family who elects to pursue his own destiny rather than the one his father charted for him. In 1959 he postpones college, travels to West Africa, and becomes the first student staff member at the hospital run by Albert Schweitzer, the famous Nobel Peace Prize laureate, philosopher and medical missionary. The Schweitzer clinic is an intellectual crossroads for world-famous scholars, researchers and peace activists. It’s an eye-opening education for the young man. What’s more, the clinic is staffed by beautiful European nurses and a few handsome doctors whose personal lives sometimes become as heated as the equatorial climate. Higgins works as a handyman, trains to become a medical technician and helps treat lepers. He assists three cardiologists who make a break-through discovery. He lives among the natives, absorbs tribal culture and experiences life-changing events that build his self-confidence. After a year of hard work, Higgins leaves the Schweitzer hospital and embarks on a courageous solo journey across the African continent with Israel as his destination. As the emerging nations of Africa gain their freedom in 1960, the global balance of power is changing. Africa sits at the nexus of east-west contention, as well as being a cauldron of inter-tribal warfare. His travels take him deep into the Congo, where he will be out of contact for weeks. This thoroughly researched and richly detailed narrative describes a young man’s quest for authenticity and purpose at a time crucial to African independence. Mark Higgins leaves legacies that have a profound impact on society more than half a century later.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2014

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story

I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Africa, Albert Schweitzer or someone who enjoys a fast paced narrative with historical facts and insight into The Dark Continent. This story follows the path of a passionate young man who's looking for an alternative to following his father's footsteps. In his quest to find that he embarks upon a journey where he meets incredible people and sees a world few of us can imagine.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and engaging, this book follows a young man, lost in himself, as he journeys into Gabon and The Congo in Africa. The book explores the political and cultural context of the time, a period of revolution, conspiracy and war. We also learn about Albert Schweitzer, who had risked everything to establish a hospital in the region, and our protagonist volunteers for. A fascinating read.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really quite an interesting story! I was too young to know of the work and accomplishments of Albert Schweitzer as history was being made.
I was given this book to read by the sister of one of Mark Higgins classmates. An interesting peek into her life in Worcester, MA.