Rating: 
Summary: Again
Review: ...why our family did so many of the things we did while growing up in New York. As the son of two first generation Estonian immigrants, not only was this one of the most entertaining books I have ever read (I laughed out loud constantly), but it gave me a lot of objective insight into what the Estonian culture is really like, from a first-hand, American point of view.Douglas Wells does a fantastic job telling stories. Every chapter held my curiosity from the get-go. I have already recommended this book to many of my friends and will continue to do so. My sincerest thank you to Mr. Wells for providing me these hours of pleasure!
Rating: 
Summary: Capturing the essence of Hiiumaa...
Review: A delightful book about one man's Peace Corps experience in a country that recently restored its independence and rejoined the world. However, better editorial support would have enhanced this book:
- Travel books without maps: irritating to readers--in this case, lack of at least a sketch of Hiiumaa was particularly ironic because the author tells the story of developing tourist info about the island
- Word choice: an incomplete sentence was created when "where" was used instead of "were"; calling tall, light-haired, blue eyed Estonians "swarthy" when "weathered" or "suntanned" was more appropriate
- Fact verification: The "Looking Glass" alternate airborne command post flying out of Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, was never a 747, but rather an RC-135, a fact easily verifiable in open sources. It may have been amusing the first time the author used the gimmick of describing himself as an uninformed traveler stunned to find a part of the world different from his preconceived notions. Repeated use of this gimmick grew tiresome.
Rating: 
Summary: An Author Let Down by His Editors
Review: A delightful book about one man's Peace Corps experience in a country that recently restored its independence and rejoined the world. However, better editorial support would have enhanced this book:
- Travel books without maps: irritating to readers--in this case, lack of at least a sketch of Hiiumaa was particularly ironic because the author tells the story of developing tourist info about the island
- Word choice: an incomplete sentence was created when "where" was used instead of "were"; calling tall, light-haired, blue eyed Estonians "swarthy" when "weathered" or "suntanned" was more appropriate
- Fact verification: The "Looking Glass" alternate airborne command post flying out of Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, was never a 747, but rather an RC-135, a fact easily verifiable in open sources. It may have been amusing the first time the author used the gimmick of describing himself as an uninformed traveler stunned to find a part of the world different from his preconceived notions. Repeated use of this gimmick grew tiresome.
Rating:
Summary: Capturing the essence of Hiiumaa...
Review: As an Estonian-American who grew up in the US and a visitor of Hiiumaa for a 2 -week vacation, after Wells' "Peace Corps Moment", I was pleasantly surpised to find how tourist friendly the island had become, from what I remembered from a previous visit. After reading the book, I realized how much Douglas Wells had been involved in creating the change. Hiiumaa has much to offer and Douglas captures the essence of Hiiumaa and the Estonian character and humor. I very much enjoyed his book and could not help but chuckle my way through it.
Rating:
Summary: Capturing the essence of Hiiumaa...
Review: As an Estonian-American who grew up in the US and a visitor of Hiiumaa for a 2 -week vacation, after Wells' "Peace Corps Moment", I was pleasantly surpised to find how tourist friendly the island had become, from what I remembered from a previous visit. After reading the book, I realized how much Douglas Wells had been involved in creating the change. Hiiumaa has much to offer and Douglas captures the essence of Hiiumaa and the Estonian character and humor. I very much enjoyed his book and could not help but chuckle my way through it.
Rating:
Summary: Really enjoyed this book
Review: I truly enjoyed Mr. Wells' article "The Bell of Emmaste" in the June 2002 READER'S DIGEST (Canadian Edition). I was even more delighted when I read his book "In Search of the Elusive Peace Corps Moment". Douglas Wells is a very talented story teller. I look forward to reading his next book.
Rating:
Summary: Those crazy Estos
Review: I truly enjoyed Mr. Wells' article "The Bell of Emmaste" in the June 2002 READER'S DIGEST (Canadian Edition). I was even more delighted when I read his book "In Search of the Elusive Peace Corps Moment". Douglas Wells is a very talented story teller. I look forward to reading his next book.
Rating:
Summary: Really enjoyed this book
Review: I truly enjoyed Mr. Wells' article "The Bell of Emmaste" in the June 2002 READER'S DIGEST (Canadian Edition). I was even more delighted when I read his book "In Search of the Elusive Peace Corps Moment". Douglas Wells is a very talented story teller. I look forward to reading his next book.
Rating:
Summary: Good Guide to Estonia Too
Review: I visited Estonia a few weeks ago, and this book is a decent guide to Estonian culture, though maybe more on the rural side. I also enjoyed Douglas's sense of humour, and great storytelling skills.
Rating:
Summary: The best inspiration yet to join the Peace Corps
Review: Nonfiction is usually a gamble at best. Not with Mr. Wells' book. As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I have constantly looked for any kind of book that would make me remember back to my time spent abroad and conjure up the unique feelings of pride and worth that typically come with a Peace Corps assignment. This is the first book that has really made me dig into my memory and cherish all of those Peace Corps moments once again. Rather than dwelling on some self absorbed search for inner meaning that can usually lead to a way too subjective and personal point of view, Mr. Wells instead chose the more entertaining route of simply telling stories. True stories that are humorous and bring out the character of the country and the locals that he had interacted with. I too married a young local lady as a Peace Corps volunteer, and Mr. Wells' sections on the courting of his wife are both sentimental and hilarious at the same time.
If you are thinking of joining the Peace Corps but have not yet made the decision, read this book and it will make up your mind for you. If you are a returned Peace Corps volunteer who wants to relive the wonderful frustrations and numerous treasured moments that all volunteers take home with them in their hearts forever, this book will rekindle those fires. I thought I would be disappointed with this book, but it was an unexpected and wonderful surprise.
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