In 1997 foreign correspondent Neely Tucker and his wife, Vita, arrived in Zimbabwe. After witnessing the devastating consequences of AIDS and econo...
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reviews
Nov 12, 2010
Sharon
rated it: 
This is such a compelling story that paucity of dialogue wasn't such a detractant, although I noticed it throughout. The story is told by a journalist, thus it reads more like the account that it is instead of a fictional story. And it's a powerful story indeed. The reader feels frustration and numbing realities along with the author. I loved this story. It's well worth the read; I listened to it on CD. The reader learns along the way, always a good thing. And the realities in Africa are
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Jun 19, 2009
Andrea
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Book Three of Summer Reading List.
I got this book two years ago (maybe three) and never picked it up because I wasn't really interested in reading about families, adoption, or babies in Africa. I only plucked it from my shelves this summer so that I could fit in my one "must read" non-fiction for summer. And I was EXTREMELY SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH I LIKED IT!
Neely Tucker is a white southern journalist who is married to Vita, a black, Detroit woman. After moving More...
I got this book two years ago (maybe three) and never picked it up because I wasn't really interested in reading about families, adoption, or babies in Africa. I only plucked it from my shelves this summer so that I could fit in my one "must read" non-fiction for summer. And I was EXTREMELY SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH I LIKED IT!
Neely Tucker is a white southern journalist who is married to Vita, a black, Detroit woman. After moving More...
Dec 31, 2010
Jessica
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A moving tale of a bi-racial couple from America who meet a dying baby in an orphanage in Zimbabwe who takes there hearts. They begin a seemingly impossible struggle to save her while racing against the clock because of the husband's status as person non grata - he's a foreign correspondent during a time when the press are being blamed for all of the country's woes. This is so well written - and brought tears to my eyes twice within the first 25 pages. The author also gives a good background
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Dec 30, 2008
Laura
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This is a true story of a couple who move to Zimbabwe and end up trying to adopt an orphan. Although the baby has been entrusted to their care, the authorities don't trust their motives (the father is white and the mother is black and many times they are asked why a white man would be interested in adopting a black child) and the country's general policy is to forbid foreign adoptions.
Even knowing that the story has a happy ending (there's a beautiful picture of the family at the be More...
Even knowing that the story has a happy ending (there's a beautiful picture of the family at the be More...
Aug 14, 2009
Jean
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A fascinating memoir of the author's time spent as a foreign correspondent in Zimbabwe in the late 1990s and the efforts of he and his wife to adopt a critically ill baby girl who they encounter when volunteering at a local orphanage. The conditions at the orphanage are heartbreaking and the difficulties they face in maneuvering the intricacies of politics and social service bureaucracy in the war-torn country frustrating beyond belief. This first-hand account is helpful in showing the reader
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Jun 29, 2009
Michelle
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I decided to read this memoir because it is about a time in Zimbabwe that I have some first hand knowledge of. I was visiting Zimbabwe between 1997 - 2000 prior to Mugabe's decision to take back the lands from White farmers. Neely Tucker and his wife were living there at that time and in this memoir you experience their frustration with bureaucracy and suspicion of American's through their efforts to adopt Chipo who was abandoned as an infant. Also of interest was the harrowing experiences Tuc
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Feb 28, 2010
Hope
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I keep coming back to books set in Africa, and this one clearly did not disappoint. I was drawn to it initially as it was about adopting an African child, and I am an adoptive parent. But this story was so much more than that, politics, humanitarian issues, journalism and of course their love story. How Neely and his wife find each other is a great story in itself, but then the assignment in Zimbabwe with the horrific goings-on from Mugabe and his corrupt crowd, and the lovely innocent childre
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Jan 29, 2009
OneWorldLibrary
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ÒKen Johnson (Bristol): This was a book hard to put down. I finished the last two-thirds in one reading. The powerful bond this couple formed with the infant who would become their daughter, is in stark contrast to the Zimbabwe government's active opposition to a mixed race family. ---- Library Description: Nonfiction; Family memoir of a foreign correspondent in Zimbabwe who overcome unbelievable obstacles to adopt an infant against a background of war, terrorism, economic disaster, bureau
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Nov 29, 2010
Jenn
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This is a very compelling story. It provides great insight into an interesting period in Zimbabwe's history and politics. It really illuminates the extent of the AIDS crisis in that country, making you feel the ripple effects of poverty and lack of educate, particularly one of the worst effects of all: the orphaning and needles deaths of thousands upon thousands of children. And at the same time, it gives the heart-breaking tale of one family's struggle to bring home their adopted daughter...t
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Jan 08, 2009
Arabella
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A beautiful, heart warming true story about an American mixed race couple and their struggles to adopt an abandoned baby girl in Zimbabwe in the late 90s. Not only is it a moving story of love and family, it's also a saddening insight into Zimbabwe as it started to plunge into chaos under Mugabe. Given how bad things were at that time, this book also has the unintended effect of bringing to mind how truly horrendous the current situation must be, with the economy, infrastructure, and health of
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Dec 08, 2009
Katie
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This is a very compelling, true story of a couple who adopted a Zimbabwean orphan, against all odds of success. This memoir follows the American author's work as a foreign correspondent throughout Africa, describing how he and his wife found the baby they rescued from otherwise certain death, and the many obstacles to adoption over which they triumphed. I dropped one star because I found the writer's voice at times glib and annoying. But he and his wife obviously have very brave hearts, and thei
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Nov 11, 2008
Martha
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I had to put this book down at times b/c of the sadness. It's starts out with an abandoned baby in Africa. (Just like Light in Snow, two abandoned babies in a row!)
This was a true story about a white foreign correspondent from Miss. married to a black woman from Detroit living in Africa. He traveled around Africa and the world reporting on war. They found a baby who was very sick. The orphanages are overwhelmed with babies who's parents either died of Aids or left it. Tucker and Vita t More...
This was a true story about a white foreign correspondent from Miss. married to a black woman from Detroit living in Africa. He traveled around Africa and the world reporting on war. They found a baby who was very sick. The orphanages are overwhelmed with babies who's parents either died of Aids or left it. Tucker and Vita t More...
Jun 03, 2009
Annie
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This memoir covers the life of Neely Tucker, a journalist, who while stationed in Zimbabwe, falls in love with a sweet little African girl and begins the difficult journey of international adoption. The book discusses racial matters: Neely is a white male from the deep South of Mississippi, his wife, Vita, is an African American woman from Detroit. These characteristics actually prove to be hindrances to the obstacle of adopting Chipo. The book is actually pretty intense, Neely is an active j
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Mar 10, 2009
Andrea
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One can't help but admire the author's heartfelt desire to help a Zimbabwean orphan baby. But Tucker doesn't bother to explore or understand the political and historical background of his daughter's birth country. He is naturally frustrated by the poverty and corruption he witnesses, but can't understand why the black Africans he meets aren't universally thrilled that a white American is adopting one of "their" children. I wish this family all the best, but I wouldn't recommend the
Apr 11, 2011
Missy
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Foreign correspondent, Neely Tucker and his wife Vita live and work in Zimbabwe, Africa. They start volunteering at a state run orphanage where they meet lots of sick orphans. They fall in love with one of them in particular. Chipo is the light of their lives. She is very sick and they are able to bring her home and nurse her back to health. They then begin the very long task of trying to adopt her in a country falling a part around them. This was a very good read!
Dec 24, 2008
Karen
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This story of a biracial American couple trying to adopt a baby in Zimbabwe really hooked me. At times it was difficult to digest the stories of violence and death, but it is part of what is going on there. I think Tucker did a wonderful job retelling his story.
This story has opened my eyes to the epidemic in Zimbabwe and the political unrest in that region. I also (especially today - Christmas) am even more appreciative of the peace and the lifestyle I am blessed with.
This story has opened my eyes to the epidemic in Zimbabwe and the political unrest in that region. I also (especially today - Christmas) am even more appreciative of the peace and the lifestyle I am blessed with.
Sep 04, 2009
Hollie
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You don't have to be on the adoption trail to appreciate the beauty of this book. I loved the author's style (Neely Tucker is a journalist) and his love for his wife and daughter is leaping off the pages. His story is very powerful in it's honesty of race, nationality and gender discrimination. There are many twists in this memoir and definitely moments of pure frustration. But the dedication and perseverance these parents exhibited are inspirational.
Dec 05, 2010
Patty
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A book that teaches me about history and still keeps me interested in the story is just the perfect read. I listened to this one on CD and it was done well.
Foreign correspondent Neely Tucker and his wife arrived in Zimbabwe in 1997. They witness firsthand the devastating consequences of AIDS just as Zimbabwe is on the brink of destruction. The Tuckers were amazingly patient people.
A moving story but not overdone. Just a gentle reminder of what is going on around the world whi More...
Foreign correspondent Neely Tucker and his wife arrived in Zimbabwe in 1997. They witness firsthand the devastating consequences of AIDS just as Zimbabwe is on the brink of destruction. The Tuckers were amazingly patient people.
A moving story but not overdone. Just a gentle reminder of what is going on around the world whi More...
Sep 24, 2009
Erika
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Neely Tucker and his wife Vita move to Zimbabwe where he is stationed as a foreign correspondent. At the time, AIDS, the economic and political unraveling of the country left thousands of orphans in its wake. While volunteering at an orphanage in Harare, an abandoned infant on the brink of death arrives and Vita is charged with taking the baby to the hospital for care. The hospital discharges the baby on the condition that she go home with Vita rather than back to the orphanage where she woul
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Feb 11, 2009
Ellyn
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The story of a white journalist from Mississippi and his African American wife's attempt to adopt a baby girl from Zimbabwe while they are living in the country. Also explores the AIDS crisis in Africa, the history of Zimbabwe, and race relations in both the U.S. and Zimbabwe. A bit slow moving at times, but fascinating, and I learned a lot about a country that has been all over the news lately!
Jun 27, 2008
Brett
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Perhaps I'm a sap for giving this book five stars, but I completely enjoyed the story and was really moved by the struggles of Neely and Vita to adopt baby Chipo in Zimbabwe. The writing is engaging and crisp and there is a lot of humanity in the story.
It's a story about family (both traditional and non-traditional) and lengths a person can go to in order to help someone that is helpless. It's about race and class and foreignness. I also enjoyed the way that Tucker was unable to rea More...
It's a story about family (both traditional and non-traditional) and lengths a person can go to in order to help someone that is helpless. It's about race and class and foreignness. I also enjoyed the way that Tucker was unable to rea More...
Jan 08, 2010
Stacey
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This book was wonderful. I was engaged from the minute I opened it. It READS like fiction so to actually comprehend that this is, in fact, non-fiction is very difficult. I came away feeling more educated and more aware of the struggles that take place all over the world; this memoire really tells a story. A moving sorty well worth reading.
Jan 31, 2009
Judy
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Here's Tucker's take: "I had broken the first rule of Journalism Ethics 101: Never get personally involved in a story you are assigned to cover." Well, lucky for a critically ill orphaned baby girl and us that he did; he changed the story he was assigned to cover, then he covered it for us. A superb book. Don't miss it.
Jan 16, 2009
Rachel
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If you like "Three Cups of Tea," and was moved by that book, you must read this book. This is about a family's struggle to adopt their daughter who is an orphan found in a field, abandoned shortly after birth. This reporter and his wife fought to keep her alive as she was malnourished and starving and when they tried to adopt her, the Zimbabwe social agency dragged their feet. This is a very insightful book on the AIDS situation there ... before Darfur, there was Zimbabwe. This is a mu
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Jan 03, 2011
Laura
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moving,tremendously sad memoir of Tucker's life as a journalist in zimbawe,his marriage to an african american woman,and their struggles in adopting and rescuing a baby,Chipo, there.depicts the pain of african nations and the fear and ignorance that allows aids to flourish.well done.
Jun 04, 2010
Ejhicks
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Touching firsthand account by an American journalist stationed in Zimbabwe about his family's decision to adopt a Zimbabwean child. His tales of personal and professional sacrifice, as well as his adventures navigating the bureaucratic process in a developing country, resonated with me.
Mar 01, 2009
Julie
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I have not given many books 5 stars. This book is incredible. The true story is about the author and his wife fighting to adopt a Zimbabwean infant in the midst of racial and cultural battles. Their perserverance was inspiring and I appreciated learning about Zimbabwe and the AIDS crisis. But the crowning reason for the 5 stars is Neely Tucker's writing style. He is talented, real, and entertaining. I highly recommend this book!!!
Dec 14, 2010
Ann
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wonderful book...the true story of a reporter and his wife, assigned to Zimbabwe, who moved heaven and hell in their efforts to adopt a child from that country while they were stationed there. great writing and a great insight into at least a slice of life in Zimbabwe.
Aug 12, 2010
Megan
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I loved this book. It could be that this topic is just close to my heart, but i do think writing was really well done. Amazing journey through one of the most difficult situations I can imagine. Also an interesting insight into the AIDS epidemic and recent events in Zimbabwe.
Jul 09, 2009
Terry
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A true story of determination and perseverance in the face of a completely inadequate and failing system of child welfare in Africa. Love for a child deeply affects a couple and gives them strength and a completely different outlook on what are the important things in life.
