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Jeff Elzinga
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The Distance Between Stars Paperback – May 21, 2020

by Jeff Elzinga (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
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The Distance between Stars is the story of two Americans divided by history and skin color. Joe Kellerman, white, is an accomplished diplomat who has spent his career solving difficult problems in sub-Saharan countries. Maurice Hightower, black, is a prize-winning but controversial journalist who has spent his life exposing injustice in the United States. During a fact-finding trip to an African country that is quickly sliding towards civil war, and where the U.S. government is accused of supporting the increasingly violent opposition, Hightower travels alone into the bush and then disappears. The dangerous assignment of finding the missing man and bringing him to safety falls to the U.S. Consul, Joe Kellerman. The Distance between Stars follows Kellerman’s hunt for a man he does not admire, traces Hightower’s pursuit of a truth that ever eludes him, and balances the costs each man must pay to find redemption for a life lived imperfectly. While the novel takes place in Africa, it is a uniquely American story.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    344 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 21, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.86 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0999219472
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0999219478
  7. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a thoroughly authentic novel of Africa whose themes of race, privilege and what it means to be American ring true to anyone who has spent time on the continent. ...characters, descriptions and scenes are so believable, and the story so engaging, I felt like this book came directly from the newspaper front pages."

KEITH RICHBURG, former Africa bureau chief, Washington Post, and author of OUT OF AMERICA


"...an enthralling story that's more exciting with each turn of the page. ...set against a backdrop of Africa so authentic I could smell the omnipresent cooking fires and relive the joys, trials and tribulations of many years on that magical continent. The spot-on description of diplomatic service, and in particular the challenges of managing visiting VIPs, brought back night sweats I thought I'd left behind. An excellent and enjoyable read!"

AMBASSADOR GREGORY W. ENGLE (Ret.)


"A finely-crafted, thoughtful, and timely novel. Authentic and compassionate in its story-telling, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN STARS marks Elzinga's debut as a writer to watch."

NICKOLAS BUTLER, author of SHOTGUN LOVESONGS and LITTLE FAITH

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Water's Edge Press LLC (May 21, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 344 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0999219472
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0999219478
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.11 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.86 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

About the author

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Jeff Elzinga

Jeff Elzinga

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Jeff Elzinga was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, and educated at St. Olaf College and Columbia University. He has lived two rewarding careers. As a foreign service officer of the U.S. State Department, he served in Tunisia and Malawi. Then, for more than 20 years he was a college instructor, retiring in 2018 as Emeritus Professor of Writing at Lakeland University in Wisconsin. He is married and has three children.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
21 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lisa Vihos
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
The novel carried me all the way to Africa, to the imagined country of Umbika, through the eyes of American diplomat Joseph Kellerman. As a civil war unfolds, I felt like I was right there with Joe, (who is white), trying to appease American journalist Maurice Hightower (who is black), and make extremely difficult decisions with lives on the line. This book is about race, power, perceived differences, and compassion. Author Jeff Elzinga does an amazing job of showing how small gestures, words, and touches can set off seismic events. His story made me ask over and over, "what would I do?"
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David B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read and Storyline
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book brought to life what it must be like working and living in Africa; especially as a diplomat. The plot was very good and the interaction of the characters kept you from not wanting to put the book down, in order to find out what happens next. I very much enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one by the author.
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Megan
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
Loved it. Couldn’t put it down!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars What Good Looks Like
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2021
In Sub-Saharan Africa, a white American diplomat tries to do good, but what good looks like is slippery and has dire consequences for Joe Kellerman, living far from a racist parlance once commonplace in the U.S.
"This is the sound of ruin," writes Jeff Elzinga with clear insight of the US foreign service and the demands put upon its officers. In our age of global turmoil, graft, and greed, here is a novel to stretch our understanding of humanity--no matter what color it is. Read it and see "how great the distance is between what is and what was."
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Ride
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020
The summary for the book provides a wonderful overview, but what it doesn't speak to is the gentle, subtle voice that flows throughout. There's an attention to detail that can make you feel as though you're there, in Africa, seeing the night sky, breathing in the scents. It's a wonderful journey during a time when travel is difficult in real life. At the same time, it speaks directly to the very American turbulence of our times. Once begun, this story feels a bit like sledding down a hillside, gathering speed and increasing energy as you go.
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Vine Aspirant
5.0 out of 5 stars An author to watch
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2020
Highly original novel, informed by the author’s Foreign Service experience in Africa, that educates with a pleasant episodic approach. Fans of recent John Grisham will appreciate the balanced, compassionate and timely analysis of racial and international relations. This affecting book may even be a worthy addition to HS/college Sociology or Political Science courses. Jeff Elzinga is an author to watch!
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Celine Farquhar
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read, new release!
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2020
Wonderful author and storyteller!
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