A Few Minor Adjustments: Two Years in Afghanistan: A Peace Corps Odyssey

by Elana Hohl

In 1971, before Al Qaeda and the Taliban, an idealistic young American couple just out of college spent two years teaching, traveling, and experiencing the culture of Afghanistan. As Peace Corps volunteers, they learned as much as they taught during their time in the country and changed the trajectory of their lives. This is their story from that historic period as gleaned from memories, conversations, and letters home. Their story will transport the reader to a time before Afghanistan was war torn, before there was daily news from the country’s enigmatic mountains, deserts, and villages, before twenty years of non-stop fighting.Peace Corps assigned the author and her husband to teach in a boys’ UN-funded technical boarding school. Elana was the only woman on the staff and the only non-family female most of the provincial boys had ever encountered. Her observations and letters home vividly portray her adjustment to the country’s culture and people and how she grew to love this ancient country and her students. Proceeds from the sale of this book will support initiatives that benefit the women and children of Afghanistan. These initiatives have been identified through the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Friends of Afghanistan organization.

574 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2021

Reviews

[Joanna Boone]

If you'd like to experience Afghanistan in 1971, there's no better read. A female perspective of a male dominated society is a rare find.

[Mary Lee]

The amazing story of a friend's Peace Corps experience in Afghanistan in the early 1970s. Interesting to read this just as the U.S. is pulling its troops out...

[Melissa]

Written a bit unusually (very short chapters, not always flowing), and mediocrely edited, but one of the most fascinating books I’ve read. Wonderful stories about a fantastic 2 years in a country of which very few Americans have knowledge much less experience.

[Nena]

very interesting

A very enjoyable book. We’ll written with humor and understanding of the country and it’s people. It’s pretty long but an easy read. I recommend it highly. Kept my interest until the very end. What an adventure Elena and Mike!!!