A Land Without Time: A Peace Corps Volunteer in Afghanistan

As do so many of the best books, this book takes the reader back to a different time and place and way of life, with amusing and thoughtful insights. First book I've ever read about personal Peace Corps experiences, with a rich historical perspective. It was compelling and fascinating, and especially interesting to read about the Bamiyan Buddhas before their destruction.

I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan at the same time as the author. I was part of the "other" group that trained in country rather than Vermont. I share the author's thoughts with respect to the fact that the Afghanistan we knew is gone and, sadly, remembered by too few.I have a bit of a quibble about some of the names of the volunteers he mentions, but I don't claim perfect memory myself! My own experiences were quite different in that most of my social life was with Afghans, not embassy or USAID folks. Perhaps this was easier because I was an American woman who could interact with Afghan men as well as women. I also lived in Kabul during my years of service and had only limited experience with provincial life. The author mentions Marty, a Peace Corps staff member, who was like an older brother to me for a time (now deceased) as well as Melissa who continues to be a dear and valued friend. It was good to see that they loom large in his memory too. Although our memories differ in many ways, I am so glad that this book reminds the world that there was once a very different and special place called Afghanistan. Thank you, John!

Here's a first: the story of Afghanistan prior to and during the communist coup of 1979, told by an American who worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan. Only a handful of foreigners lived in the country at the time: A LAND WITHOUT TIME: A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER IN AFGHANISTAN starts in the US with peace corps training and recruitment then follows a group of young men and women to the country, where they adopt to its needs and ways. A 'must' for any who would understand Afghanistan culture and history and the peace corps perspective. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

I enjoyed this book immensely! It was at times hilarious and other times thought provoking. I know a Peace Corps volunteer can't stay forever in this country but I was kind of sorry to reach the end of the road. This is a must read for anyone who thinks they already know Afghanistan.