“Prepare to open minds /...Especially your own,” Wald writes in an introductory poem to this account of his experiences as a late-in-life Peace Corps volunteer in Panama. That interest in improvement, self- and otherwise, powers this “expose” as Wald lays out both the value of the Peace Corps’ mission and the issues he sees as hindering it. From a long, poorly organized application process to a confusing assignment to a lack of institutional support, Wald tells a story of dysfunction married to a deep idealism. Wald and his wife were stationed in Santiago de Veraguas, a smaller city, and assigned to help with English instruction, but found it difficult to make sustainable change because of institutional barriers and elements of Panamanian culture. He clearly values the experience but wishes that the vision of the Peace Corps was better realized

Wald’s story is a fascinating look into a particular Peace Corps experience: that of a later-in-life volunteer. He still has the admirable flexibility required to succeed in a cross-cultural volunteer exchange (summarized in his motto: “It’s Amazing What You Can Get Used To” or IAWYGUT) and yet brings more real-world expertise to the challenges of volunteer life. Why Didn’t You Call includes lovely photos and maps, which help embed the reader in the story, and Wald closes the book with clear, specific, actionable advice for people considering the Peace Corps, particularly those considering it later in life, as well as for the institution itself to improve its processes and outcomes.

While some of Wald’s complaints about Panamanian culture—such as a disinclination toward American-style punctuality— may strike readers as something the Peace Corps could anticipate and adjust for, they reflect the difficulty of working across different cultural expectations. Wald’s recommendations, and the memoir overall, will be worthwhile, illuminating reading for anyone interested in opening their minds to work, live, or volunteer across cultures.

Takeaway: This Peace Corps memoir will fascinate readers interested in cross-cultural living and working.

Great for fans of: Mike Tidwel’s The Ponds of Kalambyi George Packer’s The Village of Waiting.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B+
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A