What do you think?
Rate this book
Fiesta of Sunset: The Peace Corps, Guatemala and a Search for Truth
Shortly after graduating college, Taylor Dibbert began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer. Dibbert spent two years in Guatemala’s Western Highlands, living and working in the indigenous village of Nebaj – a place still emerging from the shadows of a bloody civil war and steeped in history. Fiesta of Sunset speaks frankly about Dibbert’s Peace Corps experience – from witnessing armed robbery and struggling with gastrointestinal disease to deep personal reflection and considered social commentary. This is a story that embraces adventure, candor and humility. Some of the mysterious and romantic stereotypes of the Peace Corps are set to rest in this engaging memoir. The book also provides a closer look into a war-torn nation still struggling with poverty, corruption and inequality. Ultimately, the Peace Corps is about empowerment – helping the world’s poor help themselves and trying to alleviate global poverty. But there's something more that JFK left out of his groundbreaking Peace Corps speech. Personal growth lies at the heart of the volunteer experience. This uniquely compelling book reminds us that the organization’s mission is more relevant than ever.
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2011
About the author
Taylor Dibbert
9 books22 followersTaylor Dibbert is a writer and poet in Washington, DC. He's author of, most recently, "On the Rocks."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 13, 2014
Ever wondered what it's like to live/work in a third world country?
Then this is a great place to start. I was lucky enough to share many of Taylor's experiences with him in Guatemala, but have also been involved in development work for extended periods in Africa, and travelled widely. What makes this work different to so many personal accounts of development work I have read is its sheer honesty. I would love to write memoirs of some of my experiences but the fact is I lack the courage to bare my soul so completely and directly as Taylor manages to in this book.
For anyone who is thinking about doing Peace Corps, or indeed volunteering overseas or travelling in developing countries, this book gives a great account of the realities. There are many sources where you can find the 'glamorous' side - how great it is to endure the hardships and to help people - but this book truly gives you an insight into the emotions you will experience, both good and bad.
I think this book is also important for people inside the development community, and those considering pursuing that line of work. Taylor manages to tie in the dual aspects of someone who is interested and well educated in the larger scale of international relations/history with first hand experience of working at the very bottom of the ladder - as an entry-level development worker involved with small scale projects within the communities he was living. It's that collision of someone well read in the theory of international development with the realities on living at the sharp end of the implementation, that resonated so vividly with my first experiences of field work, and provides an insightful backdrop to the running commentary of his day to day life.
When I read this book for the first time I was personally proud of my former colleague for producing such an honest, complete and reflective account of his Peace Corp service. I would encourage anybody who is interested in the whole story of work and life in grass roots development to read this book.
Then this is a great place to start. I was lucky enough to share many of Taylor's experiences with him in Guatemala, but have also been involved in development work for extended periods in Africa, and travelled widely. What makes this work different to so many personal accounts of development work I have read is its sheer honesty. I would love to write memoirs of some of my experiences but the fact is I lack the courage to bare my soul so completely and directly as Taylor manages to in this book.
For anyone who is thinking about doing Peace Corps, or indeed volunteering overseas or travelling in developing countries, this book gives a great account of the realities. There are many sources where you can find the 'glamorous' side - how great it is to endure the hardships and to help people - but this book truly gives you an insight into the emotions you will experience, both good and bad.
I think this book is also important for people inside the development community, and those considering pursuing that line of work. Taylor manages to tie in the dual aspects of someone who is interested and well educated in the larger scale of international relations/history with first hand experience of working at the very bottom of the ladder - as an entry-level development worker involved with small scale projects within the communities he was living. It's that collision of someone well read in the theory of international development with the realities on living at the sharp end of the implementation, that resonated so vividly with my first experiences of field work, and provides an insightful backdrop to the running commentary of his day to day life.
When I read this book for the first time I was personally proud of my former colleague for producing such an honest, complete and reflective account of his Peace Corp service. I would encourage anybody who is interested in the whole story of work and life in grass roots development to read this book.
July 10, 2012
I'm an RPCV myself, 2003-05, though I did not serve in Guatemala like Taylor. His honest reflections, good and bad, on the Peace Corps are the truest words I have seen published about the organization. I've read what I can get my hands on when it comes to books written by former volunteers, and I came away from reading this book with a sense of the author's integrity. Anyone who is interested in serving as a Volunteer should definitely read this book! I am leaving the US soon to work in Guatemala and I appreciated his insights on Guatemalan culture and history. I will be living in much more comfort than Guatemalan PCVs do, as a teacher at an international school, and now I know more about what to expect when travelling. Additionally, I have some perspective on the world outside the elite population in Guatemala City, which is nice.
He's not a polished author and the e-book does have some errors. The text itself jumps from topic to topic and is organized like a diary. I can see how this would bother some people, but I understand the challenges of organizing a book like this having lived a similar life. The variety reflects the diversity of the country and the ups and downs of Peace Corps life. Thanks for your work, Taylor!
He's not a polished author and the e-book does have some errors. The text itself jumps from topic to topic and is organized like a diary. I can see how this would bother some people, but I understand the challenges of organizing a book like this having lived a similar life. The variety reflects the diversity of the country and the ups and downs of Peace Corps life. Thanks for your work, Taylor!
July 3, 2013
I really wanted to like this book. I've been interested in Peace Corps for a long time, and I was hoping this book would provide some more insight to what it's like to be a PCV. I would've liked this book more had I not been totally distracted by how poorly it was written. It felt like he just typed up random journal entries without adding connecting information or trying to organize his thoughts into a cohesive unit for readers unfamiliar with his situation (which is pretty much all readers).
While I did learn more about Peace Corps, about 50% of this book is about the author's drinking escapades while not at his site. From what I've heard, this is common for certain PCVs, but I would've liked to understand more about his position as a PCV.
As someone who has lived in Central America, I enjoyed his reflections on the culture and daily life of Guatemalans. There were some good nuggets of insight, but they are few and far between.
While I did learn more about Peace Corps, about 50% of this book is about the author's drinking escapades while not at his site. From what I've heard, this is common for certain PCVs, but I would've liked to understand more about his position as a PCV.
As someone who has lived in Central America, I enjoyed his reflections on the culture and daily life of Guatemalans. There were some good nuggets of insight, but they are few and far between.
February 23, 2011
Taylor Dibbert and I lived in the same town in Guatemala. I was even a character in this book. Which, by the way, is a trip when you're reading a book and then one of the characters starts talking in a way that is eerilly similar to how you talk.
I can tell you that as far as I know, this is as accurate of an account of a PCV's life in Guatemala as you're going to find. The frustrations, boredom, sickness, and disappointment are shared by all volunteers, and Taylor has a gift for portraying life in its true light.
I know, I know "only" three stars. Look, Brothers Karamazov got five stars, and Anna Karenina got four stars. It's a faulty rating system, but it's all we've got. This is a great book for people thinking about joining the peace corps. It's a great book for people interested in life outside of the first world.
This is the first of hopefully many books by Mr Dibbert.
I can tell you that as far as I know, this is as accurate of an account of a PCV's life in Guatemala as you're going to find. The frustrations, boredom, sickness, and disappointment are shared by all volunteers, and Taylor has a gift for portraying life in its true light.
I know, I know "only" three stars. Look, Brothers Karamazov got five stars, and Anna Karenina got four stars. It's a faulty rating system, but it's all we've got. This is a great book for people thinking about joining the peace corps. It's a great book for people interested in life outside of the first world.
This is the first of hopefully many books by Mr Dibbert.
April 20, 2013
Hailing from Colorado State University, creators of the Peace Corps, I have always wanted to learn more about the Corps. Add to that my obsession with all things Guatemala, and I had to read this book. If you find either of those topics interesting, you will enjoy the book. Taylor travels around rural Guatemala, working on water delivery projects while experiencing local culture in a way that most aspiring travel readers can only dream of. A lot of his social commentary is well founded and worthy of consideration.
Want to Read
January 21, 2016kindle 211 (memoir) guatemala
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews