In this U.S. election year, it’s unthinkable that the winner of a presidential election would be sentenced to house arrest and kept from ruling the country. But that’s what happened in Burma.

Although Aung San Suu Kyi was democratically elected in 1990, a military junta seized power. Despite living under armed guard for 12 years, Suu Kyi serves as a spiritual leader and a beacon for democracy and human rights worldwide.

The first American ordained as a Buddhist monk in Burma, Alan Clements was granted the rare opportunity to interview Suu Kyi. After publishing a book about her, he was permanently blacklisted in Burma.

Clements offers compelling stories of this heroic Nobel Peace Prize winner and her country’s plight, including:

• How Suu Kyi inspired the monks’ protests that made international headlines last fall.

• What Bono and other prominent activists are doing to advocate for her release.

• Why Congress recently voted to award her the Congressional Gold Medal.

• Why she believes nonviolent protests are the only way to bring about a true democracy.

• Why Parade magazine named Burma’s military ruler the world’s third worst dictator.

• What the U.S. can do to take action toward justice in Burma.

CREDENTIALS: Alan Clements is a journalist and author of THE VOICE OF HOPE: Nobel Peace Laureate and Leader of Burma’s Struggle for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi (Seven Stories Press, 2nd ed., 2008).

AVAILABILITY: Vancouver; available nationwide in the U.S. by arrangement and via telephone
CONTACT: Crystal Yakacki, (212) 226-8760, ext 109 (NY); crystal@sevenstories.com