This book illustrates themes of the struggle of migration, loss, and coming to terms with one's history, which the author believes, affects one's present life; exile by choice because of economic circumstances; assimilation and cause and effect; the myth of the American dream held by people worldwide; cultural alienation; socialization of the immigrant; leaving home; learning new experiences; adapting to a new life; speaking a new language; the reuniting of old friends; friendship; male bonding; spirituality; African Deities; Haitian Culture; Voodoo; facing the past; nationalism; community building; cultural awareness; music and dance in the Haitian culture; political unrest; murder; vengeance; civic duties; and citizen responsibilities.General Authority stems from personal accounts of many violent political coups in the author's native land. She was the oppressed hiding under a bed to keep away from deluge of gun bullets only to later confront the more oppressing without even a bed to hide under. Migrating to the U.S. meant new struggles: cultural alienation, immigration, and police brutality. General Authority is a reflection of fantasies of victory. The goal is to humanize terror to be understood by everyone who has experienced minimal pain and or conflict.About the Story:When Denis decides to run from Port-au-Prince, even he is not sure the fake passport will take him to New York City. For eleven years he's been leader of the Engagés, a secret society fighting the Militia for the return of the city and stop Cut Heads Burn Homes. Days before Denis and his troops launch the final attack one of their top three men is assassinated and the Militia delegate local thugs after Denis who must run to save skin.Soon Denis finds saving skin in New York places far more obstacles than fighting the Port-au-Prince Militia and returning home seems far beyond the hurdles. He becomes an uncomfortable guest in the home of Steve and wife Elizabeth with strong ethics on illegal immigration, Denis is simply not welcomed. It becomes obvious Steve has problems of his own, a collapsing marriage and the unattainable quest for a baby. Elizabeth hates Denis' influence on Steve who is suddenly interested in his culture. The couple's marital cup runs dry when arguments climax the police intervene. Steve is badly beaten. Elizabeth blames Denis for Steve's extra-marital affair and turns him over to the INS.About the AuthorLahiny Pierre was born in Jacmel, South of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. At the age of six, she attended College Classic Feminin (C.C.F.).She left C.C.F. at the age of fourteen to reunite with her parents in Brooklyn,New York and finish her academic studies. She is a graduate of the State University of New York @ Potsdam. Ms. Pierre taught high school English/E.L.A. in the New York City public school system for six years and served as adjunct at Stony Brook University. In 2001, she received Long Island University's Graduate Assistantship to pursue an M.F.A.She now resides in Georgia where she is a full time Writer and Director of an art & literacy non-profit. Her literary works include poetry, literary criticism, screen plays, and two novels, speaking on the struggle of migration, lost, and coming to term with one's story, which she believes, affects the present life.