Dr. William Close, a Wyoming physician, outlines his journey from high school through his unintended experiences in the Congo . “Beyond The Storm” offers levels of tales starting with the dedication of young love, the sometimes opposing goals of career and family, the effects of long absences on children and marriage and into the misdirection of missionary zeal, the blood and guts effort of front line medicine and the facilitating objectives of administrative passion.

Dr. Close chronicles the rise of Mobutu, a man of and from the people, a visionary whose culture and unchecked power leads to the economic collapse of a once progressive country. Corruption and greed combined with misdirected international forces take Zaire, transformed from the Congo , from great potential into the misery of chaos. Dr. Close reveals the rewards and frustrations of practicing medicine and attempting to make a difference in the quality of lives without a sugar coated spin.

Parallels in management, economics and the power of driven people can be applied to current world conflicts, organization behavior and individual choices. I am struck, again by the beauty and wisdom of our constitution, its’ authors and the strength of a democratic government that values individual rights and freedoms. The book unveils the reality behind the saying, “Power Corrupts” and the effects of unbridled greed on individuals, organizations, on a culture, a country and the ripple effect of one country's choices throughout the world. Bravo, Dr. Close! ( )