A Story About Inner Change
590963
Americans love spy stories. From James Bond to Jason Bourne, we enjoy watching and reading about them escaping with their lives with a beautiful woman at their side. Real spy work, however, isn't quite as wild as the movies or works of fiction would portray. Even though real spy work isn't glamorous as many of us believe, that doesn't mean it's boring.

A Train to Potevka is a story about a real spy during the cold war. The story takes place as the Soviet Union is beginning to crumble. The author, Mike Ramsdell, is on an undercover mission in Siberia to extract a Russian criminal. Posed as a German oil investor, his cover gets blown and he's forced to flee to a safe house in the small city of Potevka - a slow, long train ride from his current location.

During his train ride and subsequent stay in Potevka we are treated to flashbacks of Ramsdell's life from growing up in Bear River, Utah to his training to become a spy. Ramsdell's flashbacks are somewhat reminiscent of flashbacks from the television series Lost. And like Lost they serve as a useful way to get to know Ramsdell better. Each memory is specifically linked to the inner change that Ramsdell is slowly experiencing.

Though there are some harrowing and exciting moments, the real story in this book is the author's inner transformation during his stay in Potevka and decisions he makes at the end of the book. The person we meet at the beginning of the book and the one at the end are two different people. This is rarely something we see in fictional spies such as James Bond who tends to have the same persona and character no matter what happens to him.

Intermingled with Ramsdell's memories and adventures is a surprise love story that not only has a happy ending but helps show just what a powerful transformation Ramsdell experienced during that train ride to and short stay in Potevka.

A Train to Potevka has no fancy gadgets, car chases, or explosions ala James Bond. But it does contain a page-turning, character-driven story that is powerful and memorable. It's a great, fast read and a must for those who want to see what the life of a spy is really entails.
1534868
Buddy and Ginger are happily married high school sweethearts.  Buddy is a well-loved high school teacher and coach, while Ginger gave up her lucrative real estate career to stay at home.  But when Ginger decides to return to work, a series of events unfolds that ruptures the stability of their marriage.  Suddenly, the person they each took for granted seems like a stranger and they find themselves adrift, unable to bridge the gap and return to what they once were.  The wrenching details of this metamorphosis are told alternately by Ginger and Buddy, revealing the confusion and pain they each feel.  As the book chronicles the changes in their lives, it takes unexpected twists that certainly held my interest!  The dialogue and the struggles of Ginger and Buddy are very true to life and make this an enjoyable read.
2771070
The book tells you of a woman who quit her job to find herself. In the process of finding herself, she also found someone from college. It was a good book, which I really enjoyed. Being someone who is older could relate to the story.
1495839
Many people are experiencing changes in their careers and in other facets of their of their lives.  This book allows one to take a comical look at a difficult subject, change.
572500
Told in the first person, this story draws you into the psyche of the main character, an older woman who finds her breaking point and the inner courage to leave an abusive relationship. You are able to follow her journey both into her past and into her future as she learns to forgive herself and others, and to rebuild her strength through family and friendships. The writing details her thought processes and readers are guided through the central characters journey to find herself. The story is one of compassion, inspiration and acceptance.
556124
This is a quiet intimate story. I enjoyed, and was moved by, this story in much the same way that I was by Pay it Forward. This story also had the same emotional/spiritual focus of reaching out beyond yourself, of making a difference in someone's life, of helping others make a change in their life when they can't make it by themselves.

I found myself frustrated at the boy's reactions and decisions, and at the way the characters won't speak up and be truthful when they interact with each other. But then, as someone who worked with emotionally disturbed children, I would see this same pattern in the families I dealt with, so I know this dynamic is not necessarily contrived by the author.

I finished reading this 2 weeks ago and already I have recommended it to 4 people, in addition to my book club. It continues to live within me and resurface occasionally whenever I'm quiet.
1635919
I liked this book.  It is an encouraging story about starting over for people of all ages.  Starting over can be as simple as changing our ideas about ourselves.
3579587
The first half of this book was hard for me to get through, for the simple fact that I didn't like any of the characters. But, as the story goes on, the main character, Nate, begins to change his life of being a drunken, wayward lawyer. The story of his repentance process, and the lady who instigates that change is very touching. I loved that the change wasn't just over night, but took time and patience. I always love stories where the characters change for the good, and this was no exception.
2058084
How do you adapt to change? This question is the running theme of this dynamic book. Although it has less than one hundred pages, it packs a powerful story rendered in such a unique and simplistic way. The primary focus is a pair of mice and a pair of little people who encounter an array of experiences as they search for the proverbial cheese.

Johnson addresses several topics including self-doubt, fear, strong work ethics, insight, peer pressure, and of course the varied reactions to change and all that encompasses this inevitable occurrence. This is a truly life-changing book. It is encouraging, thought-provoking and a clear call to action for the reader. This book is not for any particular niche group; it is an inspiring story that any reader who can appreciate and enjoy.
3445865
A really nice story about a sixty year old woman who finds her courage to change her life.  She leaves her home makes new friends and finds a new life for herself.
4913279
For me it's always nice to read a story of personal transformation.  The author gives a simple and effective way to change your outlook on life, of yourself, and how to create a richer, more fulfilling life in general.  He tells you about how his life was prior to implementing this secret, which is a propensity that most of us have experienced when facing a trauma or difficult situation.
1725264
Renewable tells the story of the power and joy that come from the process of growth.  In listening to her inner promptings, the author allows herself  even at a time that she had family and career in full swing  to do what so many of us long to do.  She allowed herself to align with what was truly important.  Ive heard many tales of people stilling the cultural cacophony and resetting their course at times of crisis.  People have that kind of clarity when their lives are nearing their ends due to age or illness.  But Eileens story is about doing it right now, at a time that she can act for many years on her promptings, make a difference in the world, and renew her life in a way only living ones mission can do.  This book and its author are inspiring examples.
1864603
A wonderful simple tale about awareness and personal truth. It is written in a way that can be enjoyed by both a young audience as well as an enlightened mature reader. As in life where we are all unique and on our own journey, so it is with the characters in Ashram Tang. It is about finding your own truth and living by it. Read and read again...Enjoy!
1839308
A "coming of age" story with a difference, this is a coming of age to finding your true self that's buried beneath the weight of expectations, and freeing your soul to be the real you. This is a deeply moving personal memoir that will resonate with many a rushed and stressed mother today, trying to be all things to all people instead of the unique person you are meant to be.
2943814
The Right Words said at the right time have the ability to change a person's life.  The authors of the stories in this book are  ordinary citizens.  A simple word of thanks from a Burger King employee changed the attitude of a Navy sailor.  That simple word of thanks made him proud to serve in the military again.  Covering All the Bases is a story that contains the advice that it is important to pay attention to detail in everything we do in life.  I liked the cute story of the woman who found love with someone over the Internet.  The words that helped her connect with that person was a simple phrase from her childhood.  The Chemistry Test is another good story with the  message that anything is possible if you try hard enough.  The author of this story took a very  difficult chemistry test in high school.  He learned that he could accomplish any obstacle, because he passed chemistry so many years ago.  The story entitled Help is an excellent story submitted by a high school student named Jacqueline Sia.  It is about friendship and having compassion for people. Just Getting Started is a beautiful story about a man who taught the people around him to live life to the fullest and never quit on anything.  The Boy at Ground Zero is a very sad and touching story about how a man is affected by a little boy who lost his father on September 11th.  I loved the story entitled Forty.  The message of this story is that age is just a number,  and that our accomplishments don't always have to follow a pattern and timetable.  Within My Reach is an inspirational story about a man's determination to become a surgeon after losing one of his fingers in a car accident.  This book is filled with moving stories and good advice.  I enjoyed it very much.
675045
This story chronicles a period of political change in the context of the personal story of the writer. Her recollection of struggles in early life are poignant and lend themselves to a better understanding of the focus of the book. This is not a read for someone who seeks a salacious take on life. This is a story about life. I highly recommend it.
2497685
A great story about living life as prescribed by society. Courage and necessity combine to change that. Love and the need for it is are powerful forces that will transform your life. The book was written well. I enjoyed the characters and the story. I would recommend this book to my friends.