Dr. Lewis Aptekar is a humanitarian, clinical psychologist and retired Professor in Counselor Education who spent much of his decades-long career overseas. He’s also a published author whose 2010 book – “In the Lion's Mouth: Hope and Heartbreak in Humanitarian Assistance” – offers a glimpse into his experiences in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The following excerpt from the preface of “In the Lion’s Mouth,” written by Dr. David Swanger, sets the scene for Dr. Lewis Aptekar’s account:

“In his work in Kaliti, Lewis Aptekar engages camp residents personally and comes to know them as individuals. He participates in the life of the camp; provides both official and unofficial aid to the displaced; shares their joys and disappointments; and, in a manner best described by his own recounting, is never less than candid with everyone, whether they are the displaced victims of war, politics and poverty, or ranking officials in diplomatic and aid organizations.

“Aptekar’s candor, realism and principled point of view pervade his relationships not only with the displaced in Kaliti, but also with his fellow aid workers and with us, his readers. Aptekar discusses the power and the limitations of humanitarian assistance, and he deconstructs myths that pervade humanitarian aid. He also reveals his own perplexities, failings and heartbreak as he labors to understand and minister to people for whom the future, as well as the present, is desperate and seemingly inexorable.”

Would you like to continue learning about Dr. Lewis Aptekar’s diverse career or peruse his published works? Interested readers can visit his author page on Amazon for purchasing options or head to his personal webpage.

Source: Lewis Aptekar (2015-01-04T22:58:59). In the Lion’s Mouth: Hope and Heartbreak in Humanitarian Assistance 2nd Ed (Kindle Locations 189-197). Xlibris. Kindle Edition.