American Foreign Service Officers abroad ought not to organize anti-American demonstrations, but young Max Lacey does so from love of country. It makes sense in the magical, dysfunctional, Republic of Engañada, where imagination supplies what history has denied. Early in his diplomatic career Lacey arrives in the port city of Alcalá as Director of the Engañadan-American Cultural Center. He finds a decaying building, a spaced-out Academic Director, an unhelpful Embassy supervisor in the distant capital, and internal plots against the nearly-bankrupt Center. With the help of his imaginative local staff (very much including the lovely Rosa Fuentes Serena), and inspired by the visit of larger-than-life Cultural Affairs Officer Harvey Tyrone, he makes progress until exiled President Espejo returns to challenge the military government. Convoluted Engañadan politics then present new dilemmas and dangers: Max can serve U.S. interests by saving the Center, but only if he undermines the U.S. Ambassador.
As he agonizes over opposing loyalties to his country, he develops new loyalties to the people of Engañada. When civil war threatens he makes his fateful choice, ending up with more romance and adventure, and a briefer diplomatic career, than he ever dreamed.
About the Author: James F. O'Callaghan served in the U.S. Navy 1960-63 before attending Seattle University where he received a BA in English in 1967. He earned his MA and Ph.D. from the University of Washington, and taught at the University of Idaho from 1970 to 1974, when he joined the U.S. Information Agency.
After serving in Latin America, Italy, Africa, and Washington D.C., he retired in 2000 and lives with his wife Giovanna in Maple Valley, Washington. They have three grown sons.
He has published short stories, articles, and poems in various publications including the Foreign Service Journal, Homiletic & Pastoral Review, The Latin Mass, New Oxford Review, First Things, Curitiba in English, PAWA Quarterly, and Naples and Beyond (anthology of the Naples Writers Circle).
