A Train to Potevka
by Mike Ramsdell
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 713)
Read in June, 2008
Despite my two-star review, this is actually a book that I wouldn't discourage people from reading. I just want to clarify what you can expect when you pick up this book:
- A glimpse into the Russian people, their challenges, a taste of their history, and their culture. The author of the book lived in Russia for many years and was able to offer some insights. I liked that.
- Bourne Ultimatum-ish story. What can I say? The opening storyline is about how the KGB is after him because he's a U...more
- A glimpse into the Russian people, their challenges, a taste of their history, and their culture. The author of the book lived in Russia for many years and was able to offer some insights. I liked that.
- Bourne Ultimatum-ish story. What can I say? The opening storyline is about how the KGB is after him because he's a U...more
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Read in July, 2008
Okay, I am having a hard time consistently using the star rating system. My inclination is to give this two stars, but as I look back at books I have rated as two stars, I liked this book better so I guess it means barely three stars for "Train to Potevka."
I pretty much have the same impression of this book as others I know who have read it. It starts as interesting spy type novel, then the author digresses a bit to provide some background. I personally did not like the structur...more
I pretty much have the same impression of this book as others I know who have read it. It starts as interesting spy type novel, then the author digresses a bit to provide some background. I personally did not like the structur...more
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Read in May, 2008
I was forced to read this book on a long plane to Buffalo, NY. I just couldn't get into it previously. Then I came across this quote and thought that this author had written a story that was interesting, and I learned about Russia and it's place in the world. This was my favorite quote from when he was in the safe house with no food for several, several days. Then a package shows up and he doesn't open it again for several days because he thinks it is from the KGB.
"One of the greatest...more
"One of the greatest...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
Sentimental folk who read 1-2 novels a year.
I've had some contrary comments to this review, and I think I'm inclined to revise it - a little.
This book states explicitly at the beginning that it is fiction. It says it is fiction to protect current operations, secret information, whatever. Indeed, it reads like fiction - badly written fiction.
I didn't care for the book. I thought it was boring. Not much 'spy' stuff going on here. 95% of the book is about Mike in the US, Mike on LDS mission, Mike and 2nd wife, or Mike in military tra...more
This book states explicitly at the beginning that it is fiction. It says it is fiction to protect current operations, secret information, whatever. Indeed, it reads like fiction - badly written fiction.
I didn't care for the book. I thought it was boring. Not much 'spy' stuff going on here. 95% of the book is about Mike in the US, Mike on LDS mission, Mike and 2nd wife, or Mike in military tra...more
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2 comments
Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
I don't really know---anyone from Bear River area, Utah
A Trin To Potevka is the story of an American (a Bear River, Utah American)spy in Russia. A best friend gave it to me all signed by the author. I was disappointed with the first chapters as I was expecting it to be more specific-ally about his adventures as a spy. When I realized it was as he explained in the preface and the forward, his memories of his life as he travels by train trying to escape the Russian mafia. I then enjoyed it more.
Finished this book last night and ended up enjoying it...more
Finished this book last night and ended up enjoying it...more
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Read in January, 2006
recommended to Lori by:
Janie Van Komenrecommends it for: Everyone
I met Mr. Ramsdell at a book signing and instantly became intrigued with his story. However, I am not the type to read "spy thrillers" and, after purchasing the book, I let it sit on the corner of my desk for several days -- what a mistake!
When I did begin to read, I truly could not put the book down. Mike's saga is a heart pounding, thought provoking, inspirational adventure. Following him across the snow bound vistas of Russia, I could keenly feel his fear and his faith, his suf...more
When I did begin to read, I truly could not put the book down. Mike's saga is a heart pounding, thought provoking, inspirational adventure. Following him across the snow bound vistas of Russia, I could keenly feel his fear and his faith, his suf...more
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Read in March, 2008
This was my book club's March selection, and I actually liked it. I can definitely see how some people who were expecting an intense spy novel were disappointed, but since I didn't have any expectations I wasn't disappointed to find it more a memoir about Mike Ramsdell's life with a big chunk based in Bear River, Utah (I actually went to Bear River this last February to do some cross country skiing and I thought the place was beautiful.) I also enjoyed learning more about Russia and this guys...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to John by:
Lynn F. Cannon
An interesting account of the life and experiences of the author. The account is centered around a particular assignment he had as an undercover agent that required an unforgettable and painful ride on a train to Potevka, Russia (hence the name of the book). Some readers have criticized the inclusion of flashbacks of events in the life of the author, but I consider these an important aspect of the book insomuch as they gave insight to his feelings and thoughts as he continued through his ordea...more
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
Diane
I met the author of this incredible true story at Costco and had him sign my book. He said that a movie is currently being made. I expressed my concern that the spiritual message would be lost or hidden by Hollywood. He reassured me that this message or the "heart" of the book would not be omitted. He would be actively involved in the filming and script/screen play. That is a relief. For his spiritual experience is so necessary to his survival.
The 4 star rating is for mechanical...more
The 4 star rating is for mechanical...more
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Read in July, 2007
recommended to Amanda by:
Mike Ramsdellrecommends it for: Everyone
I feel special connections with this part of the world--so of course, I had to read this book. The descriptions were right on and I could immediately visualize exactly what the author was talking about. I also love that this story shows how things work out for the best in our lives. A great read!
It probably also helped that I met the author at a Costco book signing. We chatted for a few minutes and he told me they're making a movie based on the book. In fact, they were heading to the Ba...more
It probably also helped that I met the author at a Costco book signing. We chatted for a few minutes and he told me they're making a movie based on the book. In fact, they were heading to the Ba...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Sarah by:
Saw it at Costcorecommends it for: People who like to read about Russia, adventure stories and spy stories
The core adventure story of this book (escaping from the Russian mafia in Siberia) is quite good but the author is not a practiced writer and there's a lot he could have left out. For example, the lectures on what was wrong with communism and how things came to be are not necessary. I mean, after all, I think the failure of almost all of the communist regimes is a testament to that fact. In addition, the author gives more autobiographical information than is necessary.
This would have made...more
This would have made...more
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Read in June, 2008
Books are like friends. Some, when we meet them, fit right in as if they should have been there all along. Others take a little effort and work to understand. Often the energies expended create not only a connection to them, but also a deeper understanding of ourselves. This book for me was the latter. I struggled at first with his writing style, but the more I read, the more I wanted to read. As I read, I was reminded that often we do not see what we have until it is gone, and the intens...more
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Read in January, 2007
recommended to Annie by:
Mike Ramsdell
I met the author at Costco one day (he was doing a book signing). I stopped to talk to him about his book and told him that I had lived in Russia. Of course then I felt obigated to buy the book since he signed one for me. But, I am so glad I did.
Some people say there is too much Russian history, but not for me. It is the author's true story as a covert CIA agent trying to get to safety. He has to cross Russia on a train and find the safe hous. It is an amazing story.
The side story of hi...more
Some people say there is too much Russian history, but not for me. It is the author's true story as a covert CIA agent trying to get to safety. He has to cross Russia on a train and find the safe hous. It is an amazing story.
The side story of hi...more
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1 comments
Read in February, 2008
recommended to Mark by:
mother
Good read for someone like me in an intelligence position and from Utah. The author is from Northern Utah and has the wit but seems to exagerate for effect. The first half was very interesting with his confrontation with the Russian mafia. He never mentions it directly but it is obvious that he is affiliated with the CIA. Overall, a good little tale about hope and endurance through a very challenging experience in the heart of Mother Russia at the end of the Cold War. I would recommend it t...more
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5 comments
Read in January, 2008
Though really not fantastically written, it was nonetheless interesting. He does admit that it is fiction, though closely based on his own experiences - it's a bit hard to imagine what isn't real as it's told so frankly. The story of the train to Potevka is really second place to his general musings on life and things important to him - definitely a drawback. Though as a memoir, it works just fine. All in all, it's okay and even marginally interesting (of course, I don't know much about Russ...more
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Read in February, 2008
Hmmm...I don't really know what to say about this book. It was interesting and I'm glad I read it, but I don't know if it's something I'll pick up and read again anytime soon. It was obvious to me that this was Ramsdell's first book as his writing seemed very amateurish. There were, however, lots of experiences of his that made really touched me. I loved how he acknowledged the hand of the Lord in his life. It was more a compilation of his memories than a story with any sort of plot. And there w...more
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Read in March, 2008
I just finished this book today and I am surprised at how much I liked it. It is the true story of a man from Bear River, Utah who was an American (Mormon) spy in Russia. I learned a lot about Russia, the sad state of the volatile government, and the effects on its people over the years. It is not an action book, as I was expecting, but more of a memoir of his life and some of his missions. I actually saw the author at Costco signing books a couple of months ago. I wish I had read this the...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Highflyingfool by:
Nana, momrecommends it for: LDS
Fun book and very exciting. He sums up Russia in the same way I felt about Russia when I went over there. The story he is telling gets interrupted with lots of flashbacks, yet is still easy to follow. He gives a good history of Russia during the novel and at the end, which I think is crucial. I just wish he would have focused more on the spy stuff and less on his family and church issues, although in a way it was fun to see that side of a spy. This was a very easy read- I only picked up the...more
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Read in July, 2007
This book finds itself in a rare group of mine: I cannot finish it.
I bought this under the pretense that he's a former CIA agent who worked in the USSR, which is all true.
What I didn't bargain for was his childhood history. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT!
This must be a pet peeve of mine...authors that have a wonderful story to tell, yet ruin & dull it with their boring past history. Ugh. I'd prefer my toenails get pulled out!
I bought this under the pretense that he's a former CIA agent who worked in the USSR, which is all true.
What I didn't bargain for was his childhood history. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT!
This must be a pet peeve of mine...authors that have a wonderful story to tell, yet ruin & dull it with their boring past history. Ugh. I'd prefer my toenails get pulled out!
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3 comments
Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
My friends especially Marci
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was not as much of a spy thriller as I might have enjoyed. A CIA agent is trapped deep in Siberia running from the KGB and the Russian Mafia. The heart of this story is really his relationship with God. I strongle recomend you read this before Thanksgiving if you have the time. I would say this is my favorite Thanksgiving story ever. After reading about his adventure through Russia, I feel this book has put me in the frame of mind I want to be in head...more
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