Roger L Youmans

When Bull Elephants Fight: an American Surgeon's Chronicle of Congo Roger L Youmans

Publisher Marketing: When bull elephants fight, the grass gets trampled is a Bantu proverb known in many of the languages of Congo. The elephants refer to the leaders and chiefs while the grass refers to the ordinary Congolese villagers and workers. I did not go to Congo to fight with the elephants; I went to Congo to help some of the grass survive. Roger L. Youmans, MD We drove all afternoon and for an hour in the dark before we saw a faint light ahead of us. We slowed and found two kerosene lanterns and two large logs blocking the road. Emanuel and I got out and stood in front of the headlights so that we were visible. There was no moon, and the forest was silent except for the cicada. A deep voice boomed out of the darkness very near us. Emanuel answered in Lingala, and I recognized a few words. American and Docteur. I heard a rifle bolt open and shut. Several voices whispered in the dark. Then there was silence. I said softly to Emanuel, We almost made it. from When Bull Elephants Fight With compassion, intelligence, and unflinching honesty, Roger Youmans tells his story of one man s quest to bring hope to a troubled land. Tom Barbash, author of The Last Good Chance and On Top of the World, a New York Times Bestseller"