Politics

Unbowed: One Woman’s Story, by Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was born in 1940 in a small village in the highlands of Northern Kenya. Even from a young age, she stood out amongst her peers, as she pursued her education with determination. When the opportunity arose for a scholarship at an American university, through President Kennedy’s Airlift Program, she jumped at the chance. Upon returning to Kenya with her Master’s degree, she became the first woman in her country to earn a PhD and to later head a university department. During her time at the university, she was steadfast and determined in her pursuit of equal rights and pay for herself and her fellow female employees. This was to set her on a path she never foresaw or looked for. Read More »

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, by Paul Torday

When Dr Alfred Jones, a well-respected and strait-laced fisheries scientist, is contacted to work on a project to introduce the sport of salmon fishing to the Yemen, he dismisses it as a ridiculous fantasy. There is no way that cold-water-loving salmon could ever even survive in the desert of the Yemen. But Dr Jones finds himself progressively charmed by the project and his colleagues, learning about himself along the way. What follows is a delightful and humorous tale, told in the form of letters, interviews, emails and articles. Read More »