No Ordinary Life

Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid

By: Mary Ann Byron

Narrated by: Stacy Rock, Mary Ann Byron

At 29 years old, Mary and her newlywed husband embark at a two-year diplomatic assignment to South Africa. A continued campaign of economic sanctions from the international community has pressured President De Klerk to negotiate with recently-freed Nelson Mandela to end apartheid with the end goal of democratic government. Uncertainty about the future hangs like a cloud cover over the South African heat.

It is into this powder keg environment that Mary and Patrick arrive in Cape Town in August 1992 on their first diplomatic mission as a couple. A Special Agent in Diplomatic Security, Patrick must protect the Ambassador and the American community. Negotiations have broken down again after the latest massacre, the black townships are embroiled in gang warfare, and the Ambassador's life has been threatened. Patrick immerses himself in work while Mary is left to find her way.

Stripped of her name and identity, Mary — Mrs. McGhee to the State Department. She refuses to be shuffled into passive domesticity as a "trailing spouse". After their first diplomatic dinner at the Ambassador's home, despite an argument with Patrick that threatens to send her back to the States, Mary lands a job at the American Embassy as a USAID worker. But the unrelenting stress of Patrick's job along with the constant threat of danger for both he and Mary — including surveillance 24/7 by National Party spies — takes a toll on the marriage. When an American woman is murdered by a black mob outside Cape Town, Mary is shaken to the core. After yet another massacre, Patrick insists Mary learn to shoot.

She’s aware of what it means to be part of this watershed moment in history, if the country can make it to an election before imploding. The whole world watches the drama unfold.

Mary's story takes place in Cape Town, and in the wilds of Kruger Park Game Reserve, the beauty of the wine country of the Western Province, and the captivating Atlantic coastal peninsula to the tip of Cape of Good Hope.

©2018, 2020 Mary Ann Byron (P)2020 Mary Ann Byron

Just wow!

No Ordinary Life: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid is a fascinating memoir written beautifully by former US Diplomat Mary Ann Byron. Thanks to this gripping work of nonfiction, we are having first row seats to a watershed moment in the history of the world.

The author recalls her first assignment in the early 90’s as the freshly and happily married wife of a special agent in diplomatic security. Mary and Patrick arrive in Cape Town, South Africa in August 1992 and here our story begins with civil unrest, the fight for democracy, a tense political climate, racial injustice, riots, segregation, murder and a clear and present danger to the Ambassador’s life. These are just a few incentives for you to definitely listen to this story!

The audio production of No Ordinary Life is performed by actor, musician, and narrator Stacy Rock. Right from the beginning I was completely blown away and pleasantly surprised by her dedication to this project. You can hear in her voice every emotion, smile or concern. She reads with enthusiasm and lets her talent flow freely, delighting and entertaining the listener. I never heard of Stacy before this recording, but I want to hear her again! She was the perfect choice for this audiobook and I think that she enriches the narrative experience and creates a complete level of immersion.


If you want to learn a little history and be entertained at the same time, I highly recommend No Ordinary Life: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid, it’s a thought provoking work that can be even more relevant today with the fight for social justice.

After I listened to this captivating audiobook, I can definitely confirm that this author did not have an ordinary life! Pick it up and you will be instantly transported 30 years ago in a world when we, as humans, did not put too much price on our lives… but good people fought to change that and prevailed! This story would make for a fantastic movie!

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