The Tyrant and the Teen

1968 was an amazing year!

Stephanie's narrative of her experiences as a Rotary exchange in Zamboanga City in 1968 is captivating and compelling. She's a very, very talented writer! There are countless charming moments as she relates her warm and uplifting times with the Filipino families and friends she grew close to over that year. And her detailed account of her dreadful encounter with Marcos and his henchmen stands as a warning to all about the threats which a tyrant poses to democracy and the rule of law. I lived some of those months as Stephanie's friend and companion. (She did err slightly in my college ... I got straight A's at Whittier College, not Harvard!) Her graphic description of our trip to Siocon brought back happy memories. I'll attach a photo of Steph, Claro, and me at the ruins of the Spanish fort's tower, covered in snarled roots, as she described.

Unique Opportunity 

Reading The Tyrant and the Teen, left me a bit breathless. This engaging story of adventure reveals the amazing opportunity that travel presents. It also demonstrates the extraordinary generosity of the Rotary Club to offer life-changing experiences to the fortunate young people from Australia and other countries who participate in the amazing Rotary Exchange Program. There were unique opportunities such as being exposed to cultural and religious differences, volunteering with a community service that was working to combat malaria and being immersed in the depth of feeling, care and concern from host families. This account will also arouse interest in finding out more about the politics, history and culture of the Philippines.

Presence of mind wins the day.

Enthralling! Terrifying in places but overall, a most worthy addition to the historical record and a compelling insight into the potential for menace that resides within the human condition. What was that about power corrupts? McCarthy’s description of the Phillipines in the late 60s is rich in colour and atmosphere yet succeeds in gradually building towards the harrowing… spine-chilling indeed, close call to which a young woman was subjected. An exemplar into the author's admirable presence of mind under horrifying duress.