In 1959, uprooting his family from their home in Georgia, Nathan takes them to the Belgian Congo on a mission that is not totally sanctioned by his church. Determined to save the natives, Nathan is resolute, difficult to live with and clueless about what's needed in their new village. Their clothes are wrong and the cake mixes they've brought to share fall victim to the humidity of Africa. Each person narrates the story of their adventure, from the oldest daughter, Rachel, to the youngest, Ruth May. While Nathan is intent on converting everyone to Christianity, the Congolese are trying to free themselves from Belgium's rule, and the book describes religious and racial preconceptions, the violence of the Congo's struggle for independence from Belgium, and the clash of cultural worlds. "The Poisonwood Bible." 2016. Books & Authors Gale. Gale Internal User. 14 Jan 2016