This run-down will tell you a whole lot about the book and what I went through in my hitch.
Take a minute and run your eyes over the list.
You’ll get a good idea of the many things that I cover, and how I worked to make the book helpful and informative and entertaining.
Pay particular attention, please, to Chapters 40 through 43. That’s where I sound off!
1 / Why this book?
Simple. To tell you what Peace Corps is really like.
2 / The Corps’ surprising start
1960: President Kennedy’s call inspired many. Me!
3 / How I got this weird idea
Strange how it popped up! At a concert, of all places.
4 / I am nominated!
I’m nearly in. But there are“if’s” ahead. It’s time to break the news!
5 / The Staging. So exciting!
Bad luck getting to Philadelphia for it. I barely make it.
6 / Wow! We’re in Ukraine!
Our Peace Corps bosses welcome us. And warn us.
7 / My first ‘family’
I move in. They’re so nice to me as I suffer through the first days.
8 / Russian! So hard!
For 12 weeks we sit, concentrate, and memorize. I fear I will flunk.
9 / Saturdays…more study.
We’re tackling ‘Technical Training.’ It’s practical stuff!
10 / Where will I be posted?
Surprise: right here! I’m upset. Then delighted.
11 / I take the oath
What a memorable ceremony. Then, we rush to our posts.
12 / My job at school
I teach but the job shifts. I’m happy. And unhappy.
13 / Things at school sour
Dean Olena and I are not hitting it off. A bad day: I blow my stack!
14 / My second ‘family’
I move in with Ira and her son. It works out. But then…
15 / I follow Peace Corps orders
I have to get set up with the cops and my bank. Not that easy.
16 / I’m given a second job!
I’m to start an English club. Well, I start a French club, too.
17 / I have a fantasy!
It’s to digitalize this library! Or for sure it will die.
18 / A chance meeting
My new pal plays a big role in my English Club. And my life.
19 / One more fantasy!
What crazy public transit here! I see a way to make it better.
20 / A Rotary Club here!
I am a Rotarian. This city needs a Rotary Club!
21 / I move to Family 3!
For good reasons! My friends help me. Ira takes it hard.
22 / My computer life!
I needed a computer here from Day 1! Finally I get set up.
23 / The mail! Oh, my!
The problems started soon, caused me big IRS headaches.
24 / My expat friends
I meet all four by accident. How they make my life better!
25 / ‘Expect the unexpected!
It’s good advice. Mishaps befall me. Quirky things come up.
26 / Getting thru the holidays
They’re happy…but sad, too.
27 / I meet the PC doctors
I get to see them for this and that. An emergency. Then another!
28 / A troubling op-ed
A former Volunteer criticizes Peace Corps. I respond.
29 / Off I go to Shanghai
My friend Wu is getting married. Annabelle joins me.
30 / Annabelle visits me
She flies to Ukraine, meets my friends, sees my life close up.
31 / I get involved in SNAC
It’s not long before I get in deeper and deeper.
32 / My life with Tanya
She gives me a good home. But oh, what frustrations!
33 / My life with the bosses
I develop a big problem and some smaller ones.
34 / I came here to write.
I get to work… but feel I’m being censored!
35 / I get to travel a lot
I pack up and hit the road. Even to other countries.
36 / And back home, what?
27 months can create stresses. Some things can go sour.
37 / My successes & failures
I put my best into all this. Some things could go better.
38 / Preparing to go home
It‘s a process to join Peace Corps, another to get out.
39 / Life after Peace Corps.
It can be so enlarging—how good to have tried it!
40 / So, what do I think now?
I’ve formed strong opinions. One:Peace Corps needs changes.
41 / Tips & Advice for you
I learned so much. I want to be helpful, so I’m passing it on to you.
42 / Thinking in the night
What would JFK think now? How will Obama carry on?
43 / Now what about YOU?
Interested in being a Volunteer? Yes? No? Maybe?
