Set against the backdrop of an Africa torn by civil wars and tribal massacres, 'Children Are Diamonds' weaves the story of Hickey, a former American school teacher who has taken on the life of an itinerant aid worker. Haunted by the stories and the cries he hears, Hickey is deeply moved by his encounters, particularly with Ruth, a relentless care provider for war-ravaged children. As the regional violence crescendos, Hickey is tasked with a perilous mission — to save Ruth and the children through a treacherous overland escape. Edward Hoagland delivers a narrative teeming with human suffering, depicting a hellish Africa, yet among the ashes of devastation, he unearths unyielding hope, the valor of self-sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of friendship.