Mental prowess, for sure, can push any man to go a long way; take it along with sheer inner motivation, bush-and-street survival instinct, a lot of wit and charm, and a dose of encompassing humanity and you have a foolproof formula for success in any endeavor. The Life of a Village Child: An Autobiography of a Medical Doctor, by Francis Saa-Gandi, is one such tale, making life in Sierra Leone leap off the pages with the blood and veins of the people who inhabit this country, while chronicling the story of the author who went through life by the grace of people outside of his own immediate family. From the humble abodes of Sierra Leone, to the strict regimens of the schools and their unique administrators, Francis paints a picture that strikingly takes life at face value, making the best of it, making even a name for himself in his chosen field.