Triumph & Hope: Golden Years With The Peace Corps in Honduras [Paperback]

Barbara E. Joe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barbara E. Joe, a native of Boston, is a freelance writer, Spanish interpreter, and translator living on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. She is the author of numerous newspaper and magazine articles and several technical books. This is her first book for a general audience.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (December 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439222029
• ISBN-13: 978-1439222027
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,109,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara E. Joe, a native of Boston, holds BA and MA degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. A human rights activist for 30 years, she has lived or traveled in more than 45 countries and now works as a writer and Spanish interpreter and translator in Washington, D.C. "Trumph & Hope: Golden Years with the Peace Corps in Honduras," her first book for a general audience, was named Best Peace Corps memoir of 2009 by Peace Corps Writers, Best New Non-Fiction Finalist by National Indie Excellence Awards, and Finalist, Best New Non-Fiction, National Best Books. She has given numerous presentations about her book and Peace Corps service at libraries, universities, conferences, and bookstores (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc_i84jrfQs). Ed O'Keefe of the Washington Post declared, "Barbara's book is a great read...Buy and read this book, no matter your age" and Midwest Book Review called it "an inspiring read." The book is available in paperback and Kindle versions and was recorded by the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Description of a PCV Experience, January 21, 2009

By 

C. Anderson (Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Triumph & Hope: Golden Years With The Peace Corps in Honduras (Paperback)

This is a remarkable story of an older woman's Peace Corps volunteerism in the country of Honduras. Her story describes the experiences she encountered throughout her three years there, the culture, the people, the poverty and devastation she encountered, and her successes that made a difference to those she tried to help. The book contains detailed descriptions of her daily life in her Honduran Peace Corps service and some photographs as well. This is a fitting story for those interested in a frank, descriptive diary of a woman wanting to resolve some of the health care issues facing a small nation in Central America. The story is especially inspiring for those of an older generation of people who wish to join the Peace Corps and contribute their service.
Barbara Joe makes periodic return visits to Honduras, and one is invited to sign onto her blog, and post comments and questions at http://honduraspeacecorps.blogspot.com.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Triumph and Hope, January 12, 2010

By 

Ramiro Peņa (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Triumph & Hope: Golden Years With The Peace Corps in Honduras (Paperback)

Barbara E. Joe writes with agility and wit. This book is required reading for all those persons who skillfully persuade themselves that it is better to put off things until tomorrow. Barbara Joe's book reminds us that life doesn't wait until tomorrow and that unforeseen circumstances sometimes compel us to follow our dreams. I am reminded of a chapter in Bertrand Russell's The Conquest of Happiness - "Zest" or enthusiasm...you don't write books like Triumph and Hope without a full tank of zest. But in Barbara Joe's case this life-affirming quality is borne out of desolation and despair, and for that reason all the more uplifting.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Triumph & Hope, May 22, 2009

By 

Bob Arias "FlacoBob" (Salem, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Triumph & Hope: Golden Years With The Peace Corps in Honduras (Paperback)

As a former Volunteer in Colombia 1964-66 and Country Director in Argentina and Uruguay 1993-95,I find Barbara Joe's book a gift for all past and future Volunteers and Staff! The new Peace Corps Director when appointed should be given a copy to read and keep with her or him! Especially if they have never been a Peace Corps Volunteer! From my experience, Barbara Joe's beautiful story of her three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras is not about her age, but the commitment she has always had...to reach out to others. She goes to Honduras at age 62 knowing that her friends back in the U.S. think she will be home by Christmas...but her children believe in her. I am extremely impressed with her use of the black and white photos throughout her book, you feel that you are right there with her and her host country family. Some Volunteers and Staff spend their tour counting the days until they get to go home, while others really get involved in their communities, and like Barbara these are the Volunteers who adopt or are adopted by their new country, to become their "patria chica" or adopted homeland. Volunteers will often refer to their country of service as their new adopted homeland, and find something in themselves that they did not know existed...the special feeling that causes them to love and respect their new community. As Barbara says, "I now feel part Honduran!"
Having trained Peace Corps personnel, I feel Barbara Joe's book is a "how to" for future Volunteers and Staff, this must be made mandatory reading...pay attention Peace Corps, and not a bad way for family and friends to learn what it means to be with the Peace Corps. If you are even thinking about the experience that will change your life, check out Triumph and Hope by Barbara Joe...I couldn't put it down once I opened to the first page.
Bob Arias
Salem, Oregon