1. The author’s account of teaching English in Poland as a Peace Corps volunteer following his retirement is both fascinating and inspiring. He’s
an excellent writer with an adventuresome nature who was willing to leave home for two years at the age of 67, something few
of us retirees would even think about. He sets an example for those who tend to play it safe in life. I can recommend this
book to anyone with an interest in learning not only about other cultures, travel and history, but also about how one succeeds
in eventually overcoming a language barrier and adjusting to the cultural differences in a foreign county.
In contrast to the author’s adventure
in later life is his marvelous account of driving in a VW Beetle from Europe through the Middle East back in 1956, a trek no one could safely make today. As it was, the author and his companion faced potential danger
on many occasions. I have been to the Middle East several times and the author’s descriptions of the land, people and food brought back many pleasant memories.
I found this
memoir to be a great read.
(
S. Westlake, San Francisco, CA)
2.
This book was most engaging. I could hardly put it down and read it in two days. The author
is a fine storyteller with a knack for rich detail that brings his stories up close and vivid, turning an ordinary encounter
into a unique experience The reader is immediately drawn into the author’s life as he struggles in the beginning to
negotiate the hazards of the classroom, to overcome his sense of isolation, and to make modest headway in learning a new and
difficult language. His stories took me back to when I was teaching abroad as a younger person and I could easily identify
with his experience. I admire his brave spirit to undertake a Peace Corps assignment at an older age, though I guess 67 is
not so old these days. Though he was a lot older than most of his fellow volunteers, he fit in well and made close friends.
The reader also gets to know the author’s Polish friends, some of whom he has kept in touch with. In telling us about
them the dialogue flows naturally and brings his characters to life.
The author has many stories to tell about earlier times in his life. These stories clearly enhance the overall narrative.
I was particularly moved reading the vignette about his mother’s death in China in 1932. His longest story, comprising several chapters, tells of driving with a friend from
Oslo, Norway through the Middle East to Delhi, India in 1956. This account makes for compelling reading and I was sorry
when his trip came to an end. The final leg of the author’s journey was spent working his way home on a freighter, an
adventure all its own.
(M. Steinmetz,
Cleveland, OH)
3. The author is to be commended for
writing this fascinating account of joining the Peace Corps in his sixties and ending up in Poland, where some of my ancestors came from. It is beautifully written and
highly informative. Rich historical background adds a critical dimension to the author’s stories. With his detailed
descriptions, such as his small apartment in the school, his classroom and students, his colleagues, his friends, the city
markets, the changing weather, I felt very much a part of his daily life. The author’s stories are made even more real
by revealing to the reader his honest feelings as he struggles to cope with problems in the classroom and adjusting to life
in a strange new country.
What
makes this book even more engaging are the stories about the author when he was growing up. Having been born in China, the account of his mother’s death there
in 1932 is especially poignant. I also particularly liked his entertaining hitchhiking story as a college student. And then
there is his wonderful account of driving overland from Europe to India back in 1956, and amazing
and fascinating trip. I could feel the author’s excitement every step of the way.
The reader then returns to Poland where he follows the author as he
develops close friendships, finds that he enjoys teaching, makes a memorable trip to Russia, and eventually comes to the end
of his two-year stint as a Peace Corps volunteer having mixed feeling about going home.
(A. Radzinka, Chicago, IL)
