The Foreign Service Journal, November 2022

40 NOVEMBER 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL lens of a permanent resident alongside only about 150 others. Finding comfort in the isolated periods as well as the commu- nity’s more vibrant moments, such as local holiday celebrations, Panehal combines her personal lessons learned with a detailed guide of the island’s culture, wildlife, history, and character. Alexi Panehal worked for USAID for more than 35 years before retiring as a member of the Senior Foreign Service. She is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and the National Defense University’s National War College. Accidental Success: Accidental Millionaire Retirement Michael Dillard, independently published, 2021, $9.99/paperback, e-book available, 241 pages. An “accidental diplomat” from humble beginnings, Michael Dillard shares his life experiences and the skills gained as they relate to long-term financial suc- cess in this motivational guidebook. Dillard traces his childhood years in Germany and Tennessee before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He speaks to the value of leadership, fortitude, and opportunity through his Army and college experiences, where grueling schedules and limited freedom only strengthened his sense of determination. This, in turn, translated directly to his practice of “failing forward” in his young professional years, as he transitioned from appliance testing to banking and sales before landing on his feet in a position with USAID. The second part of the book contains a collection of recommendations for developing a “Vision Plan.” In part 3, Dillard offers guidance for building lifelong financial stability. Michael Dillard is a trainer and financial controller with USAID’s Africa Bureau. Since 2010, he has served in the Dominican Republic, Zambia, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Africa. Prior to the Foreign Service, he served in the U.S. Army. He is also the author of Build Generational Wealth: Retire Early (2022) and Achieve Your Goals (2021). For more information and leadership/ finance coaching, visit www.madillard.com . Every Day an Adventure: Cuentos de Mexico Robert Downes, Balcarres Books, 2022, $14.95/paperback, e-book available, 255 pages. Collected over a period of nearly 50 years, Robert Downes’ Every Day an Adventure: Cuentos de Mexico is an assortment of anecdotes “more or less in chronological order” from his experiences working and living in Texas, Mexico, and various parts of Latin America. Many stories follow the Texan tradition of telling playfully embellished “tall tales,” according to the author, yet convey the reality of how “small, at the time seemingly insignificant decisions can have a major impact on the direction of one’s life.” Elements of sur- prise, humor, and, often, brushes with danger find their way into almost every chapter, whether the author is dealing with unusual characters seeking consular assistance in Mexico or witnessing the chaos around election fraud in Venezuela. Robert Downes spent more than 37 years in federal service, primarily with the State Department. Downes’ postings included Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Thailand, Australia, and Germany. Following his retirement as a Senior Foreign Service officer, he returned to Texas, where he currently spends his time contributing to local and international organizations as well as reading, writing, and kayaking. FICTION & POETRY Convergences Ruth Obee, Clausen Books, 2020, $24.95/paperback, print only, 142 pages. Ruth Obee’s latest book, a collection of poetry, was named a finalist for the Colorado Book Award in 2022. The author describes Convergences as a “poetic memoir” that draws on both her overseas experiences as a Foreign Service family member and her current life in Colorado. Some of her poems are centered in Africa and the American Southwest, while others focus on political and cultural figures from Stephen Hawking to Nelson Mandela, whom the author met while posted in