The Roots of Heaven

Man's struggle for a meaningful existence takes place on three different levels in this wonderfully told tale set in pre 1960 Africa. The first level is the aftermath of world war two with humanity trying to reaffirm its right to exist. Second, is Africa's awakening during the 50's and its rapidly approaching fight for independence from its colonial powers, and third is man's attempt to become at one with nature and thus fill the spiritual void within itself. The images are vivid and varied going back and forth from the rubble laden city of Berlin where a young lady sells herself to the Russian soldiers, to the dusty villages in Africa where mere youths are taking up arms to kill men since they can no longer kill elephants, to the POW camps of WWII, to the Catholic missions deep in the jungles where priests ponder the likelihood of there being a just God. This book does much more than scream the necessity of saving nature for future generations, it pleads for all of! us to develop more fully our personal relationships both real and spiritual. ( Amazon customer)