A Train to Potevka (ISBN 1598720309)

Thought provoking:
I have read many of the previous reviews for this book, and sense a very polarized view point. Read it if you wish to learn of experiences of someone sent undercover to Russia, his subsequent escape, and how experiences along the way changed his attitude, humbled him, and increased his appreciation of those things we take for granted every day. As I read it, I was thinking -- this would make a great movie. I understand that movie rights have been given. Can't wait!

Oreos on Thanksgiving:
I've never read a book quite like Mike Ramsdell's A Train to Potevka, but by the time I was up to page ten or so, I was captivated. I just had to know what was going to happen to Ramsdell, an American intelligence agent from a small town in the Rockies whose career took him all over the world and involved him in exciting, rewarding, and sometimes scary situations. His description of the escape from attackers and the subsequent journey across the Siberian Railway despite serious injury is graphic and compelling. Imagine a five-day train ride with no seats ( just hard benches on either side), one bathroom shared by over 60 people, freezing temperatures, no hot water, awful smells like sour cabbage and foul body, and extreme hunger and fatigue. That was Ramsdell's experience as he made his way to a safe house, only to find that there was no food there; nor was there food to be found in the desolate community. All of this took place in the midst of the worst snow storm in 50 years. Ramsdell manages to combine Russian history and facts with memories about his own life experiences, thus making the book both educational and personal. I learned all sorts of new terms like apparatchiks and gulag and refreshed my memory about the Cold War. Reading about his early life in Utah, his relationship with his son, and his romance with his future wife were all the more interesting when juxtaposed with the suspense and drama of his Russian experiences. There were lots of highlights in Ramsdell's experiences, and it's gratifying to note that he has the ability to recognize and appreciate them. I'm still wondering how his sister's package arrived on Thanksgiving. Coincidence? I doubt it, and so does Ramsdell. And the McDonald's experience with the Mormon missionaries was awesome. If you want to feel hope, excitement, and love along with a rush of adrenaline, read this book.

Historical Perspective:
This book was written by an American Military Veteran, with a detailed perspective of the History of the Soviet Union. It is a treasure of information about real day to day relationships of the Soviet people and their government. Although names and place have been somewhat fictionalized, the meat of the story gives any reader a perspective into Soviet living. At one point the primary character in the story finds himself in a desperate situation, starving and unable to find food in a town that is between to major USSR cities. The town is almost completely vacant, yet personal virtues prevent him from stealing food from the vacated homes, which is actually one of the first thoughts I had when I read the town was empty. Even more intriguing is the reason the town is empty. Every American citizen should at least read the first few pages of this book just to see how and why economies can fail, our own economy is suffering - for example is the Soviet Union bent on making America feel the pain it felt or worse, and how might this happen. As a former military veteran myself, I find this book is powerful for uniting people to prevent a similar demise that destroyed a nation. Those who are so petty as to limit their perspective on the man's religion, are exactly the same kinds of perspectives that made Russia an Atheist state. Kudos to the Author - This story had to be told, now what about Sasha?

A good read....:
My daughter's book group read this book and she passed it on to me. I found the story very interesting and I had a hard time putting it down for two days. Although he is a first-time author, and you can tell, I found myself drawn into the story so much that I could feel the cold of the Russian winter. I wouldn't classify it as a "spy thriller" but more as a memoir of a significant experience in the author's life complete with his feelings and reflections during the time of the story. I did like the background information on Russia interspersed throughout the book. I also wonder how the box got there and although it seems far-fetched, stranger things have happened. Thanks for a good read. Are you going to tell us what happened to Sasha?

A penny is over priced.:
I appreciate that the author served our country. The book seems to go nowhere, it drones on and on. I was given a signed copy of the book and I felt cheated. At a penny the book is over priced and your time is better spent doing something else. I thru my copy of the book away it was so bad.