Greetings from Jungleland

by Michael Fortner

Greetings from Jungleland is an unsentimental, entertaining memoir chronicling the quest of a young, privileged American who joins the Peace Corps to pursue his altruistic goals, dreams of adventure, and assimilation into another culture. Posted in the small, impoverished country of Togo, West Africa, Michael Fortner jumps with both feet into Togolese culture, community development work, and learning new languages, but quickly finds himself in over his head. He comes to rely on the hospitality and patience of the residents of Komlakopé and his new circle of friends to guide him through various cultural, language, and development barriers. Michael’s enlightening journey features bush taxis, mud huts, exotic foods, and a captivating cast of peasant farmers, village chiefs, public servants, voodoo priests, gun-toting gendarmes, expats, zealots, monkeys, Guinea worms, and goats — all composing the magnificent pageantry of life that is uniquely Togolese, yet common to all.

All proceeds from this book will be donated to Friends of Togo, an organization of returned Peace Corps Volunteers that funds community development projects like the ones described in the book.

Genres: Africa

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Michael Fortner holds a master's degree in public administration and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). He works as a Planner for the City of Newark, Delaware, and lives in Perryville, Maryland, with his wife, Shannon, his stepson, Patrick, and his son, James.

Reviews

[Dlmrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

[DJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing a self-published Peace Corps memoir based on a diary lends itself to an “I did this and this and this and then this” type of book, which is mind-numbing to read. Personal thoughts expressed in a diary usually give the reader the impression that the diarist is immature/judgy/selfish about the host country's culture. A professional editor could have fixed these issues. Also, a good editor could have caught mistakes such as mixing up mettle/meddle.

Fortunately, if you need a book set in Togo, this book is free through kindle unlimited.

[Roger Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading “Greetings from Jungleland” by Michael Fortner with envy. The Peace Corps was created after I was married and had a family. It was one of those experiences that I lusted to do but never seemed to have the opportunity because of other obligations (making a living).

Reading Michael Fortner’s retrospective of his experience in the Peace Corp is a delight. It provides insights into the significance of this sort of experience as part of shaping a view of the world. His sharing of this youthful adventure through the eyes of a mature adult makes it all the more impressive.

The author’s experiences of learning a language, sharing a bush taxi with a corpse, dealing with voodoo priest, to his circle of friends in an African village, and his attempts to improve the quality of life of the people of Togo helps you understand why the Peace Corp is such an important and venerated American Institution.

The impact on both the people of the host country and on our own citizens who participate in this program is greater than the sum of its parts. If you have a sense of adventure and want to understand life in a traditional African village then “Greetings from Jungleland” is a book you will want to read.

[Johanna Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful inside look at the Peace Corps. Michael Fortner takes us to Togo in West Africa, which was recently given the unhappy designation of unhappiest country in the world. This well written memoir will have you counting your blessings. Greetings from Jungleland

[Kelly-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways. I swore I wrote a review for this book when I read it a few years ago, and I was so disappointed to see that it had not saved/posted. I really enjoyed this book! I highly recommend it.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clear writing style makes you understand the content. After reading this book I had to go do research on the country and found much history to help me understand the demographics.
Keep writing Mr Fortner.

[Christy Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard as Hell to gross me out, but this book did it...I don't know whether that deserves 1 star or 5 so I give it 3.