Thomas Hollowell was living in Morocco as a Peace Corps volunteer in 2003, when he met a Moroccan physician who had been held as a POW for 25 years by the Polisario, a rebel movement working for the independence of Western Sahara. Hollowell’s recently published book, Allah's Garden (Tales Press), grew out of his developing relationship with the doctor.

About the book: After enduring 25 years of forced labor in the Sahara Desert, becoming one of the world's longest held POWs, Dr. Benmansour is released to his homeland of Morocco. In a drastically changed world, he meets a maverick from the west; a former environmental volunteer turned expatriate living in the mountains. Although unlikely companions, the two delve into the truths of a forgotten land, human suffering and an ignored war. The unfolding of events takes them deeper into the Sahara sands than they could have anticipated; a land venerated by Muslims as Allah's Garden.  (http://thomashollowell.com/index.html)

Mr. Hollowell will be participating in the 2009 Summer Institute held by Yale’s Programs in International Educational Resources (PIER) of the Council on Middle East Studies, MacMillian Center.The public is invited to hear about his experiences in the Sahara and his book, Allah’s Garden, at the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.,  on July 15 at 6pm.  There is no charge for this discussion, and free parking is available. Register at www.allah.eventbrite.com or call the library at 946-8835.