We are all going to die, eventually. Even though we are hoping for heaven, we are not eager to die immediately. We still have much to do while here on Earth, and we hope it will meet with favor in God's eyes. We are strengthened by hope and yet confined within the limits set for us our hopes and beliefs; We are "prisoners of hope," the author of Fortune Nwaiwu's captivating phrase. In this well-crafted novel, a minister and teacher of Fortune EC Nwaiwu tells of the last days of respected Elder Levi, a man whose faith inspired many of his fellow church-goers, a man doomed to a premature death due to lung cancer and pneumonia, likely caused by his smoking habits. During Levi's last days, much occurs, including the sexual abuse of a God-fearing woman, the making and breaking of marriage plans; and a shoot-out between the police and some murderous kidnappers. At the end, the wisdom of her parents is confirmed for one of the central characters. 1 have been pleased to edit his book to fit the format expected by American readers, which 1 hope will be attractive to others all over the world. Douglas Winslow Cooper, Ph.D. Former professor at Harvard University