Beyond the Storm: Treating the Powerless & the Powerful in Mobutu's Congo/Zaire

by William T. Close

The colonel's great-aunt sat cross-legged on the carpet with her mouth wide open. With a gnarled finger, she pointed down her throat. A fishbone peeked over the base of her tongue and was easily retrieved. The old woman and the colonel were delighted. The doctor was relieved. This episode was the first of many that led Dr. Bill Close toward becoming the physician and friend to many, including the colonel who became president and then dictator of the Congo. Beyond the Storm details Dr. Close's extraordinary experiences during the uncontrollable human storms that crashed repeatedly in the Congo after independence. In July of 1960 chaos erupted when Belgium turned over power to Patrice Lumumba, the first elected prime minister, but kept the keys to the nation's prodigious mineral wealth. Two men, Colonel Joseph Désiré Mobutu, the newly appointed army chief of staff, and William T. Close, M.D., volunteer surgeon in the general hospital, met, and their lives became intertwined during the next sixteen years.

Genres: Africa

343 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Stumbled upon it by accident. It shares Dr. Close's unique perspective and experience in DR Congo, including his relationship with Mobutu during the first 15 or so of the country at and after independence.

[J.K. George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping story of the ebola epidemic in Congo/Zaire. Totally a disaster story of the first rate.

[Linda Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading "Beyond the Storm: Treating the Powerless and the Powerful in Mobutu's Congo/Zaire," by William T. Close, M.D. Before Close went to Africa, he told his wife he would be gone for about 6 weeks. Not a good estimate. He stayed in Africa for 16 years (1960-1976), where he saved thousand of lives. In the meantime his family learned to function without him during that time. At the writing of this book (2007) Close and his wife Bettine had been married for 63 years. They have 3 children, one of whom is actress Glenn Close (one of my favorite actresses).
Mobutu reminded me of Jim Jones (People's Temple): he started out with a heart to protect his people, but power corrupted him, and he allowed his people to waste away, while his own treasure chest continued to stockpile wealth and luxuries. This book offers a detailed view of the corruption that often results from power, as well as an alternate view that shows how one man can make a difference.

Dr. Close passed away in 2009.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glenn Close's father wrote this book about the impact of an HMO on a small western town.