Books, Bicycles and Banana Trucks began with a blog, kept by Richard Bates, during his period as a volunteer worker for VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) in Eritrea. Now augmented with letters and journals, Richard gives an eyewitness account of a country where few foreigners are allowed. Since Independence in 1994, Eritrea's government has become increasingly isolated and oppressive. Yet this is not a bleak read. By working as an English methodologist...