The Foreign Service Journal, November 2008

brainwashed by Catholicism and dominated by the cler- gy.” Writing with insight and affection, Frances Xavier Cunningham highlights unique moments in the lives of these New Yorkers, members of an oppressed and reli- gious group finding themselves an ocean away from their roots. The author views this work as “a grandchild of James Joyce’s Dubliners .” Where Joyce found his inspiration in turn-of-the-century Dublin, Cunningham primarily explores the lives of American Irish in Brooklyn later in the 20th century. Written over the last 40 years, the sto- ries are a mix of fact and fiction. Francis Cunningham was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a graduate of Brooklyn College. He is a chemist, rocket scientist and former FSO who had overseas assignments in Brussels, Manila and Cairo, and domes- tic assignments at the State Department in Washington and at NASA. He lives in Northern Virginia. Even Gods Walk in Shadows Robert W. Proctor, Xlibris, 2008, $19.99, paperback, 126 pages. This collection of 22 short sto- ries by Robert Proctor includes six based in Laos and others based on the author’s experiences in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Zaire, India and Santa Fe. Although some of the stories are distinctly lighthearted, many are infused with issues of vio- lence and the darker nature of mankind as the author experienced these things in war and civil strife in many parts of the world during his diplomatic career. In all of the writing — whether explicitly or as an underlying, basically unspoken message — the author conveys his conviction that one must examine every contour, every edge, every excrescence of the horrors of darkness and conflict to be able to truly appreciate enlightenment and compassion. A retired USIA Foreign Service officer, Robert Proctor served in Nepal, Laos, Lebanon, Zaire, India and Sri Lanka. Before joining the Foreign Service, he N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 37 Continued on p. 41