Africana Homestead Legacy Publishers

In a thought provoking and humorous memoir, Joseph G. Richards tells about growing up in Liberia during the Depression and World War II years, his life’s work from the 1950s as a mining engineer and administrator in the Bureau of Lands and Mines, later the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, founding the General Services Agency and the Liberia Industrial Free Zone Authority, his family business enterprises and important social activities. This is an interesting look into nation building in Africa, with black and white illustrations.

ISBN-13: 978-1-937622-04-6
Binding 1: paperback with color illustrations on sale in our online store
Pages: 144
Publication date: December 2011
Price: US $34.00

ISBN-13: 978-1-937622-05-3
Binding 2: paperback with black and white illustrations on sale in our online store
Pages: 144
Publication date: December 2011
Price: US $20.00
Imprint: AHLP Books

BISAC subjects: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Science & Technology

Joseph G. Richards became interested in writing prose and poetry after the coup and subsequent civil disturbances in his homeland. Now in his golden years, after repeated prodding, he has put pen to paper to present his memoir that features his childhood, outstanding professional career in Liberia, his many social contributions, and his recommendations for building a better Liberia. Today, he has turned most of his business activities over to his children, Marbue, Wiyata, Joann, Carl, and Dawn. His wife of sixty-one years, Anna Sherman Richards, has been by his side and has been an inspiration to him, encouraging him throughout all of his endeavors. He is also the author of a collection of reflections and poetry, published within a month of this work. Joseph Richards resides with his wife in the United States and Liberia.
His life is exemplified by numerous exceptional characteristics and hence likely the reason for so many accomplishments. According to his daughter Dawn, the following are some of the qualities that best describe him: honesty, hard work, creativity, tenacity, commitment to family, commitment to country, commitment to education, standing firm for what you believe in, never compromising your values and having a good sense of humor. Joe Richards, as he is affectionately called, is basically a no-nonsense person, committed to making the best of life and having fun while at it! An interaction with him is one that can never be forgotten!

... The book is holistic, provocative, compelling, and very humorous. Hallmarks of good books are generally categorized as easy to read, accurate in content, and impart knowledge. How adequate a reference and teaching tool for both the social and engineering sciences!... This book is a ‘must read’…” Agnes Cooper Dennis, Admissions-Advisement Coordinator, Physician Assistant Program, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and former Dean, TJR Faulkner School of Science and Technology, University of Liberia

“Joseph G. Richards, a mining engineer, explorer and distinguished public servant… While providing interesting perspectives on the many events that transpired in Liberia during the last seven decades, his account is enlivened with little known historical anecdotes that promise to contribute to understanding Liberia as a whole.” D. Elwood Dunn, Alfred Walter Negley Professor of Political Science, Sewanee: The University of the South