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A Life Inspired: Tales of Peace Corps Service
Twenty-eight first-person stories, recount the unique experience of being a Peace Corps Volunteer. Compelling, inspiring, sometimes funny, often poignant, these stories represent the breadth of Peace Corps work, the countries it serves, and its Volunteer diversity. Together, the stories reflect the adventure, the cross-cultural exchange, the personal growth, and the deep friendships forged as part of the Peace Corps Volunteers journey. The book begins with a Foreword by Peace Corps Director, Gaddi H. Vasquez that conveys the work of Peace Corps Volunteers and how they exemplify living “a life inspired” Stories are presented within three themes:
Making a difference Life is calling Window to the world
Making a difference Life is calling Window to the world
177 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 2, 2012
Nice quick read and makes me want to travel!
Page 42:
"Extreme highs, extreme lows, dozens of them packed into each day. Always, among the saddest moments, a reminder of the joys that fill this world. I feel blessed for the ability to take it all in." Kelly Daniel
Page 56:
"I travel because I like to explore, I explore because I like to learn, I learn because I like to understand." Patrick Burns
Page 70:
"Babies get born, children grow up, marriages take place, people die. People fight, love each other, develop friendships, have enemies. Some people work hard, some people don't. And at night, people go to bed only to get up the next morning to do it all again. We go through this life with its good days and its bad days and, ultimately, it is our relationships with others that make all the difference." Caroline Chambre
Page 84:
"There simply is not one story that captures the feelings of despair followed by elation, of hopelessness followed by optimism, of self doubt followed by satisfaction of a job well done." Stephanie Saltzman
Page 115:
"Being full is a luxury. What matters is that someone who might not eat all day has something to put in his stomach, I finally realized. And what matters is a willingness to share, ungrudgingly and without hesitation. My whole way of looking at food shifted. I couldn't take it for granted anymore: food was sustenance; food was life; food was what kept you walking those five miles to your fields, bent over rows of millet in the hot sun." Kara Garbe
Page 137:
"I've learned to love in a way more profound than I've ever known before-how to be an older sister, a mentor, a friend. These last two years haven't been about work at all; they've been about life, in all its depths, full of laughter and tears." Christina Luongo
Page 139:
"In all these lessons, I'm the student. Yet, according to my job description, I'm supposed to be the teacher. The lines get blurry sometimes. My unofficial job spans far beyond just teaching English......Yes, the working conditions are touch.... But with time, you can almost forget all of that. The children are children, after all. And the people are people. Their stories, for the most part, aren't the kind of stories that make headlines. Their stories aren't the stories of revolutions or of loud-mouthed, sign-carrying protest.....But their stories are the stories of another type of heroism. Stories of quiet, unrelenting battles for survival, testimony to man's ability to keep on keeping on-through wars, famines, deportations, and economic collapses." April Simun
Page 42:
"Extreme highs, extreme lows, dozens of them packed into each day. Always, among the saddest moments, a reminder of the joys that fill this world. I feel blessed for the ability to take it all in." Kelly Daniel
Page 56:
"I travel because I like to explore, I explore because I like to learn, I learn because I like to understand." Patrick Burns
Page 70:
"Babies get born, children grow up, marriages take place, people die. People fight, love each other, develop friendships, have enemies. Some people work hard, some people don't. And at night, people go to bed only to get up the next morning to do it all again. We go through this life with its good days and its bad days and, ultimately, it is our relationships with others that make all the difference." Caroline Chambre
Page 84:
"There simply is not one story that captures the feelings of despair followed by elation, of hopelessness followed by optimism, of self doubt followed by satisfaction of a job well done." Stephanie Saltzman
Page 115:
"Being full is a luxury. What matters is that someone who might not eat all day has something to put in his stomach, I finally realized. And what matters is a willingness to share, ungrudgingly and without hesitation. My whole way of looking at food shifted. I couldn't take it for granted anymore: food was sustenance; food was life; food was what kept you walking those five miles to your fields, bent over rows of millet in the hot sun." Kara Garbe
Page 137:
"I've learned to love in a way more profound than I've ever known before-how to be an older sister, a mentor, a friend. These last two years haven't been about work at all; they've been about life, in all its depths, full of laughter and tears." Christina Luongo
Page 139:
"In all these lessons, I'm the student. Yet, according to my job description, I'm supposed to be the teacher. The lines get blurry sometimes. My unofficial job spans far beyond just teaching English......Yes, the working conditions are touch.... But with time, you can almost forget all of that. The children are children, after all. And the people are people. Their stories, for the most part, aren't the kind of stories that make headlines. Their stories aren't the stories of revolutions or of loud-mouthed, sign-carrying protest.....But their stories are the stories of another type of heroism. Stories of quiet, unrelenting battles for survival, testimony to man's ability to keep on keeping on-through wars, famines, deportations, and economic collapses." April Simun
February 10, 2013
A quick and easy read. I liked the format - a compilation of stories from Peace Corps volunteers throughout the world. The diversity of their stories was fun and although most of them mentioned the "lows" associated with service, not many of them really dwelled on it (a possible negative of the book - not a totally realistic depiction?). As someone who is waiting for even the smallest bit of news from the placement office, I felt like this book helped satisfy my need for knowledge and reinforce my desire to join. Would recommend it to other future Peace Corps peeps.
March 15, 2021
2.5 stars
An anthology of 29 stories by Peace Corps volunteers. The writers aren't necessarily gifted in writing; there are a lot of clichés used, especially the idea that "they changed me more than I changed them."
However, a few of them include cultural tidbits from their host countries that actually are interesting. I think I'm just more interested in reading about the entire 2-year experience than only the highlights included in this collection.
If one has ever considered joining the Peace Corps, I'd recommend reading everything about it that one can get their hands on, even this, before making a decision.
The downside to the Peace Corps is the requisite college degree. It didn't seem as if every volunteer even utilized their degrees, so why not accept non-degreed individuals?
An anthology of 29 stories by Peace Corps volunteers. The writers aren't necessarily gifted in writing; there are a lot of clichés used, especially the idea that "they changed me more than I changed them."
However, a few of them include cultural tidbits from their host countries that actually are interesting. I think I'm just more interested in reading about the entire 2-year experience than only the highlights included in this collection.
If one has ever considered joining the Peace Corps, I'd recommend reading everything about it that one can get their hands on, even this, before making a decision.
The downside to the Peace Corps is the requisite college degree. It didn't seem as if every volunteer even utilized their degrees, so why not accept non-degreed individuals?
March 1, 2023
A quick introduction to the Peace Corps experience. By reading these short stories, I got a better sense of some specific reasons people find Peace Corps so life changing. I liked learning about some of the roles members take, the connections they made, and what they went on to do after service.
May 5, 2021
So many diverse perspectives! Wow! Also read in a day to avoid working on an essay!
August 8, 2022
Ok I only read a few stories but they were pretty good, writing was alright.
December 29, 2015
I bought this book because I am strongly considering joining the Peace Corps after I graduate (give or take a few years where I maybe work off some of my college debt and get some valuable experience in the medical field). I think this sounds like a life-changing experience that would be very good for me, but I need to do more reading and thinking about the kind of person I want to be someday. And that, of course, is the reason I got this book.
The stories themselves were good, but very brief. They left me hungry for more. More depth, more detail, more of the places these volunteers served in, and an experience of my own. Obviously that was the point, but it wasn't enough to satisfy me. I have other Peace Corps books on my to-read list, so I'll keep reading and thinking. I have a good three more years before I start giving it any serious consideration regardless.
The stories themselves were good, but very brief. They left me hungry for more. More depth, more detail, more of the places these volunteers served in, and an experience of my own. Obviously that was the point, but it wasn't enough to satisfy me. I have other Peace Corps books on my to-read list, so I'll keep reading and thinking. I have a good three more years before I start giving it any serious consideration regardless.
July 22, 2016
A very good book on the life and experiences of Peace Corps members. Really it is a collection of stories from a wide spectrum of former Peace Corps members. The book, which is printed by the government, is meant as a recruiting tool for the Peace Corps, so all of the stories show the rewards of service and down-play the difficulties. Despite this, some of the stories are written very well and you hope to see them expanded into books. Others are just okay. Overall, though, a fine book on the life of a Peace Corps member.
March 11, 2008
Honestly, not as horrible as I thought it would be. As a source of inspiration for people to join it is as poor and sacharine as you would expect. The Peace Corps is all about sustainable development, but this book offers little of that and more about how volunteers felt warm and fuzzy about relationships they made with locals.
I did enjoy the passages that had a descriptive value, like a travel journal.
I did enjoy the passages that had a descriptive value, like a travel journal.
August 18, 2011
This is a selection of short essays written by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. It was produced by Peace Corps to use as a recruiting tool but the stories are interesting and entertaining. I especially loved the story, "Women Can Learn Things, Too" written by Amber B. Davis-Collins who served in Honduras from 2002 to 2004. As an RPCV (Philippines-'70-'74) I love reading what other volunteers did during their time as volunteers.
September 7, 2011
Definitely a good book to pick up if you are planning on applying for the Peace Corps. It is clearly a bit of propaganda recruiting material and some of the authors are certainly better than others, but it gives you a good idea of the conditions and accomplishments that can be achieved as a volunteer.
February 14, 2012
I've been curious about the Peace Corps for several yrs., & this book gave me an idea as to what it's like. I loved how inspiring it was, & it also had some funny moments, too! I admire those who volunteer (don't think I could do it!). This book makes me want to do something meaningful with my life & to make a difference somehow.
January 30, 2014
I liked it. There are a couple duds, but it is a fast read with each story only a few pages long. I nearly joined the Peace Corp myself, after nursing school. Had the application filled out. Reading these stories made me wonder what I missed, who I'd be now. I don't regret the decision to marry instead (obviously!), but it was a little bitter sweet to read these adventures.
July 23, 2007
Well, I should probably write a review about this one! This is a short collection of essays from various Peace Corps volunteers. I finished it in a day and it helped solidify my decision to serve. I like the title, a life inspired has a nice ring to it.
April 29, 2009
This book is getting me excited and ready for my peace corps adventure! Some stories seemed a little phony (some PVC's getting a little 'writing happy' and making a story out of fact). But either way the stories are all inspiring. I hope my service is as great as theirs!
January 10, 2011
I was excited about joining the Peace Corps and this book brings out some of the best and worst things that have happened to volunteers. All of the stories end with the volunteer happy they served, so it just makes me feel a little less stressed!
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August 28, 2016This book is not only good for people going in the peace corps or have that interest, it would be good for Missionaries. It reminds me so much of my work in Samoa, and wish I had read this first, it would have given me more understanding.
August 5, 2011
This book made me want to leave with thePeace Corps YESTERDAY..it's awesome!
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August 5, 2011Basically a propaganda book for Peace Corps. I enjoyed the stories, though. I just hope I get to go.
January 7, 2013
These stories are simply amazing. Makes me question what I am doing with my life. Read this book again, portsmouth library 361.6 L722.
May 19, 2013
A quick and inspiring read
June 10, 2014
Some of the stories were heartwarming, but overall they were kind of boring and the authors didn't seem very humble.
September 9, 2014
I don't have much by way of a review for this (mixed bag, as one might expect) -- but a bit of a surprise to get most of the way through a book and realise that you know one of the contributors!
January 6, 2016
Excellent compilation of essays that accurately explain the excitement, trials, depressions, anxieties, amazement, wonder, and joy that Peace Corps service is.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews