avg_rating: 3
name: Steven Langdon
about: As a journalist for Canada's largest newspaper, the Toronto Star, Steven Langdon began reporting from southern and eastern Africa -- and he has since lived and worked in the continent for years. What began as a job has taken over his life, as he has built family ties and friendships throughout Africa. "Most important," says Steven, "I've been able to connect with thriving, vibrant African community groups who are winning results for people on the ground from Senegal to Malawi. Their spirit pushed me to write this novel." In his work in Africa, Steven Langdon has helped support African groups working against corruption. He brings his expertise on this subject to this novel, and to understanding the severe challenges of countering fraud. "I'v As a journalist for Canada's largest newspaper, the Toronto Star, Steven Langdon began reporting from southern and eastern Africa -- and he has since lived and worked in the continent for years. What began as a job has taken over his life, as he has built family ties and friendships throughout Africa. "Most important," says Steven, "I've been able to connect with thriving, vibrant African community groups who are winning results for people on the ground from Senegal to Malawi. Their spirit pushed me to write this novel." In his work in Africa, Steven Langdon has helped support African groups working against corruption. He brings his expertise on this subject to this novel, and to understanding the severe challenges of countering fraud. "I've known people like Patricia well," Steven says, "and admire how they stay vibrant and optimistic despite the heavy odds they face. They don't win as often as they should, but they keep fighting! "The human context that helps them keep going, the complex way that allies connect to their fight -- all this makes for a lively and thoughtful story." Steven Langdon lived and worked in Eastern Africa as an economist and researcher, earning his D.Phil. from the University of Sussex in the UK and becoming an Associate Professor of Economics at Carleton University in Canada. He later returned to work in Southern and Eastern Africa and was appointed an Associate Director of the International Development Research Centre. In 1984 he was elected to Canada's House of Commons as M.P. for Essex Windsor and became chair of a special sub-committee to review and improve World Bank aid policy. After leaving Parliament in 1993, Langdon became Associate Professor of Development at Trent University, where he launched a project to connect Ghana and Canada university students with local community groups throughout Ghana. Steven Langdon's writing has been published widely in various countries. He also wrote a blog on development for the Governance Village website. In 1999, his book "Global Poverty, Democracy and North-South Change" was published by Garamond Press; his first book "Multinational Corporations in the Political Economy of Kenya" was published by Macmillan Press in 1981. "Skin of the Snake" is Steven Langdon's first novel, drawing on his wide experience of Africa and of the politics of working for change. Steven is married to Shirley Seward, and has two sons and two daughters. ...more