José-María Muñoz is a lecturer of African Studies and International Development at the University of Edinburgh. Muñoz trained as a lawyer in Spain, his home country, before pursuing degrees in Social Anthropology at University College London and Northwestern University, Illinois. He held a postdoctoral fellowship with Emory University's Program in Development Studies before relocating to the UK.

Acknowledgements; List of figures; Acronyms; Introduction: doing business in Cameroon; 1. Making a living in Ngaoundéré; 2. The ordering of public things; 3. 'Cattle saves the day'; 4. On and off the road; 5. Under 'the NGO label'; Conclusion: letting pass, letting go; Bibliography; Index.