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When the World Calls: The Inside Story of the Peace Corps and Its First Fifty Years
A complete and revealing history of the Peace Corps—in time for its fiftieth anniversary
On October 14, 1960, at an impromptu speech at the University of Michigan, John F. Kennedy presented an idea to a crowd of restless students for an organization that would rally American youth in service. Though the speech lasted barely three minutes, his germ of an idea morphed dramatically into Kennedy’s most enduring legacy — the Peace Corps. From this offhand campaign remark, shaped speedily by President Kennedy’s brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver, in 1961, the organization ascended with remarkable excitement and publicity, attracting the attention of thousands of hopeful young Americans.
Not an institutional history, When the World Calls is the first complete and balanced look at the Peace Corps’s first fifty years. Revelatory and candid, Stanley Meisler’s engaging narrative exposes Washington infighting, presidential influence, and the Volunteers’ unique struggles abroad. Meisler deftly unpacks the complicated history with sharp analysis and memorable anecdotes, taking readers on a global trek starting with the historic first contingent of Volunteers to Ghana on August 30, 1961.
The Peace Corps has served as an American emblem for world peace and friendship, yet few realize that it has sometimes tilted its agenda to meet the demands of the White House. Tracing its history through the past nine presidential administrations, Meisler discloses, for instance, how Lyndon Johnson became furious when Volunteers opposed his invasion of the Dominican Republic; he reveals how Richard Nixon literally tried to destroy the Peace Corps, and how Ronald Reagan endeavored to make it an instrument of foreign policy in Central America. But somehow the ethos of the Peace Corps endured, largely due to the perseverance of the 200,000 Volunteers themselves, whose shared commitment to effect positive global change has been a constant in one of our most complex—and valued—institutions.
On October 14, 1960, at an impromptu speech at the University of Michigan, John F. Kennedy presented an idea to a crowd of restless students for an organization that would rally American youth in service. Though the speech lasted barely three minutes, his germ of an idea morphed dramatically into Kennedy’s most enduring legacy — the Peace Corps. From this offhand campaign remark, shaped speedily by President Kennedy’s brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver, in 1961, the organization ascended with remarkable excitement and publicity, attracting the attention of thousands of hopeful young Americans.
Not an institutional history, When the World Calls is the first complete and balanced look at the Peace Corps’s first fifty years. Revelatory and candid, Stanley Meisler’s engaging narrative exposes Washington infighting, presidential influence, and the Volunteers’ unique struggles abroad. Meisler deftly unpacks the complicated history with sharp analysis and memorable anecdotes, taking readers on a global trek starting with the historic first contingent of Volunteers to Ghana on August 30, 1961.
The Peace Corps has served as an American emblem for world peace and friendship, yet few realize that it has sometimes tilted its agenda to meet the demands of the White House. Tracing its history through the past nine presidential administrations, Meisler discloses, for instance, how Lyndon Johnson became furious when Volunteers opposed his invasion of the Dominican Republic; he reveals how Richard Nixon literally tried to destroy the Peace Corps, and how Ronald Reagan endeavored to make it an instrument of foreign policy in Central America. But somehow the ethos of the Peace Corps endured, largely due to the perseverance of the 200,000 Volunteers themselves, whose shared commitment to effect positive global change has been a constant in one of our most complex—and valued—institutions.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Stanley Meisler
5 books9 followersStanley Meisler served as a Los Angeles Times foreign and diplomatic correspondent for thirty years, assigned to Nairobi, Mexico City, Madrid, Toronto, Paris, Barcelona, the United Nations and Washington. He still contributes articles to the Los Angeles Times Book Review, Sunday Opinion and Art sections and writes a News Commentary for his website, www.stanleymeisler.com.
For many years, Meisler has contributed articles to leading American magazines including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Atlantic, The Nation, the Reader’s Digest, the Quarterly Journal of Military History, and the Columbia Journalism Review. While most of these articles focus on foreign affairs and political issues, he also has contributed more than thirty articles on artists and art history to the Smithsonian Magazine.
Meisler has twice won the Korn-Ferry Award for Excellence in United Nations Reporting and is a recipient of the Ford Foundation Area Training Fellowship in African Studies. He conducted classes in international reporting at the Columbia University School of Journalism in 2003 and 2004.
For many years, Meisler has contributed articles to leading American magazines including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Atlantic, The Nation, the Reader’s Digest, the Quarterly Journal of Military History, and the Columbia Journalism Review. While most of these articles focus on foreign affairs and political issues, he also has contributed more than thirty articles on artists and art history to the Smithsonian Magazine.
Meisler has twice won the Korn-Ferry Award for Excellence in United Nations Reporting and is a recipient of the Ford Foundation Area Training Fellowship in African Studies. He conducted classes in international reporting at the Columbia University School of Journalism in 2003 and 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 26, 2025
Was this perfect? No, but it was certainly interesting and taught me a lot. I sometimes forget the broader context of this service; there were so many volunteers before me and hopefully many that will come after, but there is also a complex political relationship that the Peace Corps has with the US government and foreign governments. And I’m just hanging out here in Togo. I thought this was a good read and I’m sure many current, returned, or aspiring volunteers would enjoy this. Also, I think more people should do the Peace Corps.
October 4, 2025
Well I definitely learned something
May 10, 2015
(Full Disclosure: As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer myself [Dominica 2010-2012] my opinion of this book may be weighted more to the favorable side. However, I have tried to be as objective as possible in this review.) The Peace Corps is one of the most lasting legacies of Pres. Kennedy's short time in office and, because of it's mission and centrality in Kennedy's presidential story, is a program with a great deal of favorability and mythology, in spite of it's small numbers, lack of current media attention, and hard-to-define accomplishments. In this overview of the last 50 years of the Peace Corps' history, Mr. Meisler attempts to cut through the mythology and inform the general public about this amazing organization. For the most part, Mr. Meisler follows the bureaucratic and back room history of the organization with most of the weight focused on the early years and then less weight given each era as he gets closer to the present. Some of the history Mr. Meisler chronicles is disheartening, but for the most part the Peace Corps, it's successive directors, staffs, and volunteers have done a tremendous job of upholding the ideals and objectives of the organization. I will say though that I was disappointed that more wasn't written about the Volunteers' work and life. In fact, this is its biggest fault. For an organization of over 200,000 returned and current volunteers, very little was said about the life and work of volunteers in different countries throughout its history. Granted, Mr. Meisler does write a little on this, even dedicating one chapter to the history of personal memoirs published by returned volunteers, but this history deals mostly with the bureaucracy. A history that detailed the life and work of volunteers in each decade of it's 50 years probably would've made it less accessible to the general public, but would've held much more value as a comprehensive history of the Peace Corps and as a true record of its accomplishments. Still, his afterword, aptly titled "Does the Peace Corps Do Any Good?," is one of the best defenses of the Peace Corps value and its achievements. This is definitely a good place to start for anyone who is interested in the Peace Corps.
September 10, 2011
A very good summary of the Peace Corps as it nears its 50th year. I found it very interesting to learn how the organization changed or resisted change during different White House administrations.
Despite its problems I think Senator Chris Dodd (a former Peace Corps volunteer) summed up the value of the Corps with: "Every American of goodwill we send abroad is another chance to make America known to a world that often fears and suspects us. And every American who returns from that service is a gift: a citizen who strengthens us with firsthand knowledge of the world."
Despite its problems I think Senator Chris Dodd (a former Peace Corps volunteer) summed up the value of the Corps with: "Every American of goodwill we send abroad is another chance to make America known to a world that often fears and suspects us. And every American who returns from that service is a gift: a citizen who strengthens us with firsthand knowledge of the world."
March 24, 2011
An excellent history of the Peace Corps by a journalist who knows the organization from first-hand experience. He spent several years in the Peace Corps Office of Evaluation and wrote spirited evaluations of several overseas programs. His analysis of the early years of the PC is especially illuminating, and his conclusions are profound. I higly recommend this book.
July 31, 2023
When the World Calls by Stanley Meisler is, as the subtitle states, a look at the fifty-year history of the Peace Corps. Peace Corps volunteers are a special breed. They are among the most selfless people in the world. The hardships they face for substantially less pay are greater than most of those who serve in the military. Of course, unlike soldiers, no one shoots at Peace Corps workers. Death from disease and vehicle accidents, suicide (and in one instance from a crocodile) occurs. Also, while Peace Corps volunteers are not targeted by combatants, on more than one occasion, they were in-country when war came to them.
] The Peace Corps is supposed to be an independent, non-political agency. With excellent research, Meisler shows that this was often not the case in Washington. Also, as Meisler points out, very occasionally, even ambassadors had antipathy towards the Peace Corps.
When the Worlds Calls came out in 2011. Even though it is dated, like Peace Corps volunteers themselves When the World Calls deserves a five-star rating.
] The Peace Corps is supposed to be an independent, non-political agency. With excellent research, Meisler shows that this was often not the case in Washington. Also, as Meisler points out, very occasionally, even ambassadors had antipathy towards the Peace Corps.
When the Worlds Calls came out in 2011. Even though it is dated, like Peace Corps volunteers themselves When the World Calls deserves a five-star rating.
June 8, 2019
Being an RPCV, it was an interesting read about certain times in Peace Corps history. However, it also stopped short in several places of really delving into the issues that have impacted Peace Corps and their causes. Ending was very abrupt too. However, I think, like many RPCVs and staff that have worked with Peace Corps, it is hard to be too critical of an organization that changed your life. So I don’t fault the author as much in this area as I would other writers because of that shared experience.
May 11, 2022
This book was pretty much what I expected, but I found it amusing how often the author attempted to laud the Peace Corps while simultaneously narrating its multiple immense failures, scandals, and continuous bending to the will of U.S. imperialist interests. It appears that the best Meisler could definitively praise the Peace Corps for are vague and paternalistic platitudes like the “kind of magic” that Volunteers accomplished in foreign countries, whatever adventurist fantasy that means.
May 17, 2025
I stumbled on this book while visiting Peace Corps Headquarters and felt it was timely as DOGE has questioned PC. Learning about the beginnings of the program, the complexity of relationships with US and International governments was and continues to be fascinating. Being a leader at post I wonder now how we can have more volunteers serve as it truly opens our eyes. I highly recommend especially if you are interested in public service.
May 13, 2020
So informative and fascinating about how the Peace Corps started and how it got to where it is today. I’m looking forward to returning to my country of service and finishing my job as a PCV!
February 1, 2018
This book, prepared for the organization's 50th Anniversary (2011), is a glowing account of the Peace Corps's mission and purpose. Stanley Meisler's only official affiliation with the Peace Corps was during a two and a half year stint as a Volunteer Evaluator in the 1960's, but he has been a proponent of the organization ever since. Mesiler's easy-to-read narrative tells a linear history of the organization from its conception as a late campaign promise by the Kennedy administration to its current state at age fifty under President Obama. Though the book occasionally shares numbers and statistics to outline the trends of the Peace Corps, When the World Calls is mainly driven by anecdote--both those well known in Peace Corps lore (including the early post card incident) as well as new stories heard by Meisler during research for the book.
Reading the book as a current volunteer who had just completed training, I was happy to be introduced to the history of my employer (and a little embarrassed that my first introduction came so late). Major themes in this book include the ever-vague and sometimes controversial autonomy of the Peace Corps from the U.S. Government. Along this line, Meisler also focuses a good deal of attention on the Peace Corps's specific relationship with each White House administration. In fact, the book is mostly divided by Peace Corps directorship, and therefore, the Presidents who appointed them. Some chapters become a little predictable in that they either story support from the Democratic party or apathy and attack from the Republic party. This partisan mood felt tiring at times, but Meisler does acknowledge Peace Corps's reputation as a "gold-standard" for non-partisanship and even explains how the organization had some of its best years under Republican administrations and occasionally floundered under Democratic years (in Meisler's opinion, the Carter and Reagan terms are two examples of unexpected failure and achievement, respectively). Regardless of how any administration uses Peace Corps as a tool for foreign policy, the chronicle of Peace Corps's endless yet inevitable (and sometimes forced) involvement in White House political affairs should force each volunteer to step back from the individual experience and think about his/her role in the larger organization. Had I read this book before arriving in country, I think my Peace Corps training would have been enriched by an increased ability to discuss the merits of my service beyond that given to a single classroom or community. Despite the analysis of the larger organization, Meisler does not fail to emphasize that Peace Corps is "upwards of 200,000 stories," which is a common Peace Corps phrase that means no two Volunteer experiences are alike. The fun and touching stories that Meisler includes remind the reader of this last point.
Both Volunteers and friends and family of Volunteers can enjoy the history presented in this book. Meisler provides ample allusions to further reading (even those that are critical) to readers who wish to delve further into Peace Corps's history. The interest of the Michigan Tech reader will be particularly peaked by the discussion of Robert L. Strauss's searing Foreign Policy and New York Times articles. The debate regarding Volunteers' effectiveness can be vehemnt, but Meisler responds positively with confidence.
Reading the book as a current volunteer who had just completed training, I was happy to be introduced to the history of my employer (and a little embarrassed that my first introduction came so late). Major themes in this book include the ever-vague and sometimes controversial autonomy of the Peace Corps from the U.S. Government. Along this line, Meisler also focuses a good deal of attention on the Peace Corps's specific relationship with each White House administration. In fact, the book is mostly divided by Peace Corps directorship, and therefore, the Presidents who appointed them. Some chapters become a little predictable in that they either story support from the Democratic party or apathy and attack from the Republic party. This partisan mood felt tiring at times, but Meisler does acknowledge Peace Corps's reputation as a "gold-standard" for non-partisanship and even explains how the organization had some of its best years under Republican administrations and occasionally floundered under Democratic years (in Meisler's opinion, the Carter and Reagan terms are two examples of unexpected failure and achievement, respectively). Regardless of how any administration uses Peace Corps as a tool for foreign policy, the chronicle of Peace Corps's endless yet inevitable (and sometimes forced) involvement in White House political affairs should force each volunteer to step back from the individual experience and think about his/her role in the larger organization. Had I read this book before arriving in country, I think my Peace Corps training would have been enriched by an increased ability to discuss the merits of my service beyond that given to a single classroom or community. Despite the analysis of the larger organization, Meisler does not fail to emphasize that Peace Corps is "upwards of 200,000 stories," which is a common Peace Corps phrase that means no two Volunteer experiences are alike. The fun and touching stories that Meisler includes remind the reader of this last point.
Both Volunteers and friends and family of Volunteers can enjoy the history presented in this book. Meisler provides ample allusions to further reading (even those that are critical) to readers who wish to delve further into Peace Corps's history. The interest of the Michigan Tech reader will be particularly peaked by the discussion of Robert L. Strauss's searing Foreign Policy and New York Times articles. The debate regarding Volunteers' effectiveness can be vehemnt, but Meisler responds positively with confidence.
Read
March 25, 2013I have to admit bias here. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, and one who chose to extend my contract by an extra year, I am inclined to like things about the Peace Corps. Or at least have some kind of an emotional reaction to them.
This book is a review of the history of the Peace Corps, from the politics that started it to the politics that nearly destroyed it and where it is now. He discusses the continuing struggle of the Peace Corps to remain an independent agency while acknowledging the public image of being the face of America and how those two goals have come into conflict. The stories in the book don't gloss over all the bad things or turn Peace Corps into some tale of adventure on the high seas. He is honest about the safety and security risks of foreign service but also about the rewards of serving.
I felt that more could have been said about the new safety and security measures being enacted at the moment and about the changing roles of volunteers in the increasingly-connected and technologically savvy developing world, but I also realize that it was publish two years ago. A lot of those changes have accelerated in the last few years and taken on new intensity for people currently serving or considering serving.
I enjoyed the book as an informative, easy-to-read history of the work I am doing as well as an insiders take on the politicking around Washington and how decisions really get made.
This book is a review of the history of the Peace Corps, from the politics that started it to the politics that nearly destroyed it and where it is now. He discusses the continuing struggle of the Peace Corps to remain an independent agency while acknowledging the public image of being the face of America and how those two goals have come into conflict. The stories in the book don't gloss over all the bad things or turn Peace Corps into some tale of adventure on the high seas. He is honest about the safety and security risks of foreign service but also about the rewards of serving.
I felt that more could have been said about the new safety and security measures being enacted at the moment and about the changing roles of volunteers in the increasingly-connected and technologically savvy developing world, but I also realize that it was publish two years ago. A lot of those changes have accelerated in the last few years and taken on new intensity for people currently serving or considering serving.
I enjoyed the book as an informative, easy-to-read history of the work I am doing as well as an insiders take on the politicking around Washington and how decisions really get made.
December 1, 2011
Fascinating history of the Peace Corps, which is now 50 years old. The author lays out clearly all the Washington DC fighting and deals and politics that come with any gov't agency. But having served as a volunteer, I didn't see that side of things. I think he gives the Peace Corps more importance in affecting host country politics than is warranted--but I could be wrong--he describes incidents from the 1960's when it was new and glamorous. Looking through the lists in the back of the book, I see that I served during the Peace Corps' smallest years and during the Reagan administration, when the PC was not considered glamorous or important. I always thought the administration was crazy to think they could use volunteers to promote their agenda, because we volunteers were 90% young, inexperienced liberals who were always against the agenda. Reading this book, it looks like that dynamic is at the heart of the PC's history. The author jumps too far to that liberal heart of the agency to defend it, and its cherished traditions, against all criticisms. But he does present the criticisms and discuss both sides. Really liked this book and learned a lot from it.
April 1, 2020
There are dozens of books about Peace Corps experiences, but this book details the Peace Corps organization itself and its history. And it’s not all pretty. It was actually a refreshing book because it didn’t try to hide the problems with Peace Corps and its mistakes and failures. You get both the good and the bad here. I have to say though, it got pretty dry sometimes and I had to push to get through some chapters. It was interesting to see what the Peace Corps have gone thorough in the last fifty years however. It’s clear that many presidents wanted to us the organization as a tool for political gain. The organization was not always popular. But it is also clear that it has done amazing things. I could have wished for more on that topic, all that the Peace Corps have accomplished. It was only briefly touched on in the afterwards. The book was interesting if not really that engaging. A definite recommendation for anyone thinking of joining the Peace Corps but I would also recommend other Peace Corps books as this one is limited to certain topics.
July 20, 2011
This book dove into the politics surrounding the peace corps. The author narrated the stages that the peace corps encountered with various presidential administrations and peace corps directors. I found the narrated struggle for independence from the federal government fairly engaging. I was hoping to read more about the experiences of volunteers and their effects on host countries. Although there was some of that, most of the stories were told to illustrate the influence (or lack thereof) of the federal government's foreign policy administrators.
May 1, 2011
Nice summary of the major events in Peace Corps history over the last 50 years. Very readable, although there were some awkward sentences and weird typos.
Like any federal agency, the Peace Corps has had some crazy, scandalous things happen over the years. This book explained the background behind some of the current policies and procedures that I've encountered already, and as I begin my service in a few weeks, I'm sure more things will be illuminated.
Like any federal agency, the Peace Corps has had some crazy, scandalous things happen over the years. This book explained the background behind some of the current policies and procedures that I've encountered already, and as I begin my service in a few weeks, I'm sure more things will be illuminated.
August 6, 2011
This was a good way to prepare for the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps. Some interesting things included, but nothing earth shattering.
July 8, 2012
This is an even-handed examination of the Peace Corps. The portions of the book I enjoyed the most included the founding of the Peace Corps and the experiences of corps members.
November 7, 2014
You never know how little you know until you investigate what you think you know. Thank You Stanley Meisler.
September 19, 2016
I was especially interested in the beginning of PC, that part of American history is unfamiliar to me.
April 10, 2021
Inspiring and informative. This book solidifies and expands my reasoning to join the Peace Corps.
July 8, 2011
Deals with many subjects that PCVs find interesting and it is a well-told history as well.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews