Liberian Author Launches New Book

Author Konneh took time off to document and tell his own story

A renowned Liberian writer, poet and magazine publisher, Mr. Nvasekie Konneh, is to shortly launch his second book titled: The Land of My Father’s Birth. Fist launched in Philadelphia, USA in February 2013, the book is a memoir of war, survival, and adventure, spanning continents, from Liberia to the Ivory Coast; from United States to the Middle East and Europe.

It is a personal story of surviving ethnic and religious persecution during the Liberian Civil War, as author Nvasekie Konneh, of mixed Mandingo and Mano heritage, fled from the advancing rebel forces of Charles Taylor. It is a story of courage, as Konneh sought refuge in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where he met and befriended the daughter of the country’s first military leader, Robert Guei. It is a story of reinvention, as Konneh travelled to the United States, joined the US Navy, and is stationed on board the USS Detroit during which the ship is deployed in the Middle East and Europe making port visits to Haifa/Jerusalem, Dubai, Paris, and Dakar.

Mr. Konneh, a nine-year veteran of the US Navy, is also the author of the book titled: Going to War for America, which was published in 2003. The 190-page literary work is a book of poems.

The Land of My Father’s Birth is a celebration of ethnic and religious diversity, a call to embrace differences in times of war and peace from a social activist who has been writing for social cultural enlightenment since the early 1990s. For those to whom the idea of living through a civil war is unimaginable, this book is an eye-opening revelation. For those who lived through or observed it at first hand, Konneh provides an insightful, panoramic view of the experiences he and his countrymen shared. The greatest tales of adventure are those lived by real people in challenging times: The Land of My Father’s Birth is a thrilling and enlightening saga for all readers.

The launch of the 258-page book, published in January 2013, is slated for June 15, 2013. The launching program will be held under the auspices of the National Mandingo Caucus of Liberia. The event is expected to draw an array of Liberians from all walks of life. The venue of the event will be announced shortly, according to Author Konneh.

Mr. Konneh is a community and cultural activist whose works have been widely published in newspapers and on websites in Liberia, US and Europe. While serving in the US Navy, Nvasekie Konneh made two deployments on board the USS Detroit, a navy logistic ship based at the Navy Weapon Station, Earle, New Jersey.