Larry Clinton Thompson

My books reflect my experience as a diplomat and a humanitarian relief worker in more than thirty countries around the world.

In "William Scott Ament" I told the tale of what has been described as the "most exciting episode of civilization." I dug into the moral aspects of the Boxer Rebellion and the siege of Peking, choosing as my principal character the American missionary William Scott Ament, a man of unquestioned rectitude, bravery, and ability. I looked at how Ament and others in the rebellion reacted to extreme stress and physical danger. Ament was one among many who lost his bearings -- but nevertheless he is a sympathetic and admirable man of great accomplishment.

I wrote "Refugee Workers" to tell the story of people who were caught up in the Indochina refugee crisis after the Vietnam War. It's a cracking good tale about a few dedicated people who worked to save the lives of people threatened by the communist governments of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. There's adventure here, a cast of colorful characters, including both heroes and knaves, and an insider's look at how the world responds to humanitarian emergencies. My principal sources were personal interviews and unpublished documents so most of what you will find in this book is unique.

On a personal note, I'm originally from a small town in Oklahoma and a proud member of the Kaw Indian tribe. I don't plan to write any more books although I write anonymously on Wikipedia and publish an occasional article or story on websites. Take a look, for example, of the account of my experiences during the 1978 coup d'etat in Afghanistan at http://www.hackwriters.com/78RevolutionAfghan.htm.