Robert Pinhero, born in the Caribbean, teaches English at Songhay College, West Africa. Songhay is awash with intrigue, corruption and rumours of yet another coup. In the face of Songhay's many power struggles, its physical beauty, its traditions, its rhythm and allure and the attendant violence and corruption leading to the coup, Robert grows and adapts to his new environment, establishes himself as a respected teacher. He also forms a bond with the wise old Zaks who teaches African history, and finds his true love and future wife. This novel is about Children of the Shadows, a name given to the child soldiers of West Africa, but which also describes a people who still struggle in the shadows of their former colonial masters.