The Foreign Service Journal, November 2010

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 25 records the human touches of each of these roles and, in the process, her own development. Just as she was looking forward to a rich retirement life, illness struck: she was diagnosed with cancer in 1987. Lyman contin- ued writing throughout, turning to poetry toward the end. As her husband observes, “The final work is thus not a traditional memoir, but a rich journey.” Helen Carolyn Lyman died on July 6, 2008. Trained as a family counselor, she developed a career as a teacher and computer instructor while overseas. She taught English in South Korea and kindergarten and first grade in both Ethiopia and Nigeria. In 1990, she joined the State Department as an instructor in com- puter applications. In that capacity she traveled to China, Turkey, El Salvador, Swaziland, Switzerland, South Korea, Namibia, Israel and South Africa to train staff. My Life, My Country, My World James Leonard Mack, Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc., 2008, $15, paperback, 150 pages. The memoirs of James Leonard Mack span almost 60 years and provide not just a glimpse into the life of an FSO, but of world his- tory. My Life, My Coun- try, My World begins with the author’s birth on his family’s farm in 1916. In a light, conversational tone, Mack chronicles his education, travels and ca- reer as an FSO, travers- ing most of the globe and drawing memorable experiences from each country. Additionally, the chapter titled “Departing Thoughts” details Mack’s advice and predictions for the future of American foreign policy. An appendix provides photos to accompany many of the anecdotes, as well as several examples of his poetry. James Leonard Mack is a retired FSO who first served as cultural attaché in Khartoum. He has re- ceived several meritorious honor awards, including a service award from the Department of State in 1964. A graduate of New York, George Washington and Har- vard universities, Mack is also a veteran teacher and an accomplished poet.