Customer Reviews

Power Lines : Two Years on South Africa's Borders

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The reviewer who said the writing was a little pedestrian was correct; but that's not entirely a fault. Jason Carter has written an earnest, sincere, compassionate, and complimentary account of his years in the Peace Corps in South Africa, a country experiencing a somewhat painful democratic transition. His experience of residual racism in South Africa speaks volumes to the situation of race relations in America; and his unique perspective as one close to fame and fortune in America makes this a particularly gripping "fish out of water" story. He certainly seems to be on track for the kind of greatness his grandfather achieved and for which he expresses admiration in the book: unwavering dedication to ideals and principles and a sincere desire to serve. Though he could take some writing notes from Fr. James Martin, S.J. (his "This Our Exile" is a brilliant picture of the situation of African refugees), he's well on his way. An outstanding effort.

A great book that gives rare insight into Swazi culture and life in rural South Africa. Having lived in the area as a school teacher and a researcher, I enjoyed the innocence with which Jason re-created and shared his impressions and experiences.

Jason's immersion in the language and culture of poor rural South Africans is admirable. He clearly "goes native:" identifying with "the Blacks" and uncomfortably, judgmentally, dealing with Westerners and South African Whites. The brilliant twist in the story comes when Jason struggles to come to terms with South Africa's Black elite. He's the rugged, White bushboy reaching out to victims of apartheid who are now more like American yuppies than real "Africans."

I also appreciated his attempts to reveal the differences in experiences that Black (like me) and White Americans often have in South Africa. Interestingly, Jason's feelings about race in America affected how he perceived South Africa, and his South African experienced revised his sense of US race relations.

Definitely worth reading, along with James Hall's Sangoma!

This book was a sit down and finish in two days sort of book. Nonjudgemental, intriguing, humanitarian. Summed up in Jason's own words "Africa is not only a story of war and famine and disease. It is also a story of triumph and self-respect in the face of those hardships." Those of you sitting around feeling sorry for yourself could benefit on the inside by peeking into the lives of these beautiful South African people.

I loaned this book out from the library hoping to find something relating to travel, to the Peace Corps, and something relating to new ideas and places. I got this and a great story from a very successful teller. Carter's experiences are exactly what many dream of while working in the Peace Corps. But this book is full of history and even more personal experience. I enjoyed it immensly.

Jason Carter's account of his two years in the Peace Corps was an easy, comfortable read. I was captivated. Thanks to Jason Carter and National Geographic for sharing this important experience about a nation in transition. Few have commented on the poignant introduction of Jason Carter's grandfather which concentrates on President Carter's own mother, Lillian Carter, and her own experience in an Indian village in the Peace Corp when she was in her 70's and at a very different time in the late 1960s.

Jason Carter has written an insightful book relating his experiences while living and working in South Africa in one of the most exciting periods of our history. The challenges he faced continue to test South Africans today. An excellent read to experience a vicarious adventure in a beautiful land.

Just received Power Lines and am excited to read it. I glanced at the Introduction written by the author's grandfather, former President Jimmy Carter, in which he describes how his own mother joined the Peace Corps at 70. She was based in India; her grandson spent his time in Africa. Looking forward to reading!

Read this book to learn about Ubuntu which is a philosophy of life that Jason Carter found to be thriving in the Swazi. This approach to people and thus community is held out as a core strong hope for the South African native culture. This book is well worth reading. I have not stopped thinking whether Ubuntu is possible in our country or not. Let's hope it is not too late...we need it!

After my 2 trips to South Africa, a rugby tour and an volunteer project with the Capetown Health system, and reading My Traitor's Heart and Alex La Guma, I was eager to explore Power Lines. Power Lines was an easy page turner with some good observations. However, I feel that Jason Carter's birthright-driven opportunity to tell the Peace Corps story was squandered by a fairly ordinary tale. For all of his experience as a Carter and involvement in Africa, I feel that he fell short. His knowledge and fixation of the local languages, while impressive and important, became his downfall as he did not significantly build off those skills. I feel that he made the same mistake that I made as a Peace Corps Volunteer myself. Knowledge of local languages is merely a start and not the culmination of a cross-cultural experience. The absence of the ludicrious, the risks, and the great plunges that are a Peace Corps experience were absent and took away from the story. His criticism of the "lame" sport of rugby showed a lack of understanding of a crucial part of South African culture. Malan (?) author of Traitor's Heart with whom Jason Carter compares, makes up for his lack of knowledge of language by passion and deep heart-felt involvement. Jason Carter's story seems too detached and ordinary in comparison to the average Peace Corps experience.
With great power, comes great responsibilty. For a story of Peace Corps, it pales in comparison to Living Poor. For a story of South Africa, it pales in comparison to Alex La Guma or My Traitor's Heart. Given the richness of the material with which Carter had to write, it is disappointing.