Ferret

This volume explores the underbelly of foreign aid - one country's assistance to another - from three levels, some of which are not totally on the level. You've got your international policy level, your between-the clouds-and ground practice level, and your personal emotional level. Policy may appear unreal. It is. Practice may appear rather confused. It is. Individual emotions are, well, a complicating factor. The story might appear anthropological. Even anthropomorphic [meaning animals with human traits], or possibly atavistic [you might say giving humans beastly traits]. So be it. Metaphors are metaphors and facts are facts. And this book is based on more of the latter than the former. The locations are where they are, but not always clearly specified. The humor is rife. Don't let it detract from the facts. The sadness is lamentable but integral. On all levels. Beasties aside, this is non-fiction, for the most part. The very most part. These things happened, happen for the most part. They are happening still with no sign of declension, grammatically or actually. The premise of this book is: Things ain't always what they seem. The conclusion is: Things ain't always what they seem. So? Like the author, keep on looking.