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Triumph & Hope: Golden Years With The Peace Corps in Honduras
When the author announced plans to join the Peace Corps in her 60s, a male friend was skeptical, predicting her prompt return home, “by Christmas at the latest.” But thanks to the welcoming folks of two towns—El Triunfo, The Triumph, and La Esperanza, The Hope—acknowledged in her book’s title—she extended her stay beyond the usual term and finally made peace with the tragedy of her son’s untimely death. A powerful, inspiring personal story that offers an intimate look inside Peace Corps service, showing that no matter what your age and circumstances, you can always forge a new direction. Readers will discover, step-by-step and on the ground, what Peace Corps service is really like, its ups and downs, adventures and challenges. Ample illustrations enhance the reading experience. Baby boomers contemplating their next life passage will be especially interested in this frank and moving recital.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 7, 2012
As another former Peace Corps volunteer who served in Honduras, I eagerly read Ms. Joe’s book. Although Honduras ranks among the top three Peace Corps destinations during the last half century, this is only the third volunteer memoir to be published. I was quickly disappointed by a romantic introduction about a childhood trip to Honduras and dismayed by a long sentimental description of her life long before the Peace Corps, details that have nothing to do with her service.
Worse yet, Ms. Joe incorrectly describes Honduran history. When I contacted her by e-mail and asked, she reported that she used her Peace Corps training notes. She never even bothered to go to a library and fact-check. Likewise, I found it discouraging that she disparaged neighbors for silly things like an old man who flirted with her. Hey! At her age she should have at least received the flor this man threw her way with a bit of good will.
She claims to be a Spanish translator yet in her book she tells us nothing about the Honduran culture. Here’s what another reviewer said, “I usually love Peace Corps memoirs, but this one falls flat. The author gives a thorough catalog of her time in the Peace Corps in Honduras, but it's just events and places with zero emotion or reaction or marveling at cultural differences.” In the book, the author repeats the phrase, “Fast forward to” as if this were a film. What part would she imagine for herself? The same woman who never bothered to learn their history and who hates their macho customs paints herself as a modern day Florence Nightengale.
Finally, the author never even mentions historical progress in Honduras. Three years before the Peace Corps arrived, infant mortality was 13%, the average life expectancy 44.5 years, literacy 50% and the average number of completed school years for the literate was less than 3. By 2010, infant mortality had dropped to 3%, life expectancy increased to 69.4 years, 83% of the population was literate and the average number of school years completed had increased to 6.5. As with Honduran history, possibly the author was just too lazy and self-centered to even check. Maybe it would have gotten in the way of her story about how she saved Hondurans despite themselves.
This is a good example of an author who never learned the difference between an autobiography and a memoir, between a film and a book. Her service to the nation and the world is commendable. Her effort to describe this service is laudable. However, the acts of writing and publishing a book do not guarantee universal acclaim. Any aspiring writer should learn their craft and also search for credible editing.
Of the nearly four dozen Peace Corps memoirs I have read, this is the worst, not because Ms. Joe cannot write a sentence and spell. She can. But she never reflects upon her words nor did she ever really experience Honduras other than as some sort of stage to play out her own fantasies. She continues these fantasies on her blog site called Peace Corps Honduras. Considering that more than 5,600 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Honduras, the title smacks of megalomania as if she considered herself the program incarnate. Take a look at the book’s cover design. There are nine photos and one third of them are of the author. Inside, the reader is treated to many more. If you are interested in Honduras or the Peace Corps, find another book. Don’t waste money on this one.
Worse yet, Ms. Joe incorrectly describes Honduran history. When I contacted her by e-mail and asked, she reported that she used her Peace Corps training notes. She never even bothered to go to a library and fact-check. Likewise, I found it discouraging that she disparaged neighbors for silly things like an old man who flirted with her. Hey! At her age she should have at least received the flor this man threw her way with a bit of good will.
She claims to be a Spanish translator yet in her book she tells us nothing about the Honduran culture. Here’s what another reviewer said, “I usually love Peace Corps memoirs, but this one falls flat. The author gives a thorough catalog of her time in the Peace Corps in Honduras, but it's just events and places with zero emotion or reaction or marveling at cultural differences.” In the book, the author repeats the phrase, “Fast forward to” as if this were a film. What part would she imagine for herself? The same woman who never bothered to learn their history and who hates their macho customs paints herself as a modern day Florence Nightengale.
Finally, the author never even mentions historical progress in Honduras. Three years before the Peace Corps arrived, infant mortality was 13%, the average life expectancy 44.5 years, literacy 50% and the average number of completed school years for the literate was less than 3. By 2010, infant mortality had dropped to 3%, life expectancy increased to 69.4 years, 83% of the population was literate and the average number of school years completed had increased to 6.5. As with Honduran history, possibly the author was just too lazy and self-centered to even check. Maybe it would have gotten in the way of her story about how she saved Hondurans despite themselves.
This is a good example of an author who never learned the difference between an autobiography and a memoir, between a film and a book. Her service to the nation and the world is commendable. Her effort to describe this service is laudable. However, the acts of writing and publishing a book do not guarantee universal acclaim. Any aspiring writer should learn their craft and also search for credible editing.
Of the nearly four dozen Peace Corps memoirs I have read, this is the worst, not because Ms. Joe cannot write a sentence and spell. She can. But she never reflects upon her words nor did she ever really experience Honduras other than as some sort of stage to play out her own fantasies. She continues these fantasies on her blog site called Peace Corps Honduras. Considering that more than 5,600 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Honduras, the title smacks of megalomania as if she considered herself the program incarnate. Take a look at the book’s cover design. There are nine photos and one third of them are of the author. Inside, the reader is treated to many more. If you are interested in Honduras or the Peace Corps, find another book. Don’t waste money on this one.
March 24, 2013
Triumph and Hope, by Barbara Joe, is an excellent read. Filled with a rich cast of interesting characters, this well-written book makes the people of several Honduran towns, and their joys and hardships, really come to life. In describing her Peace Corps experience, the author provides a wealth of valuable insight into the substantial challenges, sacrifices and rewards that come with service work in a developing country. Throughout, the author seems to find the right touch in relating to the reader the variety of complex topics that she was forced to confront as a volunteer. Everything from religion and cultural practices to international politics impinged on her service, and she shares her personal philosophies and approaches without being judgmental or preachy. This book will appeal to those considering Peace Corps or similar volunteer programs, those who have an interest in Latin America or the health service field, or those who simply enjoy learning about the lifestyles of other people and enjoy reading about adventures abroad (of which there is no shortage in this book!).
November 8, 2011
I usually love Peace Corps memoirs, but this one falls flat. The author gives a thorough catalog of her time in the Peace Corps in Honduras, but it's just events and places with zero emotion or reaction or marveling at cultural differences. It would be a good book for someone, especially older, considering whether to apply to the Peace Corps, because of her workmanlike listing of training, projects, living conditions, etc.
February 8, 2014
Not since "Travels with Charley", "Blue Highways" and "A Walk Across America" have I enjoyed a first person account like Barbara Joe's relating of her time in the Peace Corps in Honduras. Like the other books mentioned, this one is a definite keeper, a true classic of the genre.
August 20, 2013
This is an amazing book from an amazing woman, more precisely a warrior, who decided to make a 90 degree turn in her life. You shouldn't miss it!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews