American Foreign Service Officers abroad ought not to organize anti-American demonstrations, but young Max Lacey does so from love of country. It makes sense in the magical, dysfunctional, Republic of Enga ada, where imagination supplies what history has denied. Early in his diplomatic career Lacey arrives in the port city of Alcal as Director of the Enga adan-American Cultural Center. He finds a decaying building, a spaced-out Academic Director, an unhelpful Embassy supervisor in the distant capital, and internal plots against the nearly-bankrupt Center. With the help of his imaginative local staff (very much including the lovely Rosa Fuentes Serena), and inspired by the visit of larger-than-life Cultural Affairs Officer Harvey Tyrone, he makes progress until exiled President Espejo returns to challenge the military government. Convoluted Enga adan politics then present new dilemmas and dangers: Max can serve U.S. interests by saving the Center, but only if he undermines the U.S. Ambassador. As he agonizes over opposing loyalties to his country, he develops new loyalties to the people of Enga ada. When civil war threatens he makes his fateful choice, ending up with more romance and adventure, and a briefer diplomatic career, than he ever dreamed.
