POWER LINES by Jason Carter

I bought this book for $1.00 at Halfprice Books and thought it was the best bargain I found in a long time. Jason is Jimmy Carter's grandson and this book is about his 2 years (1998 - 2000) in South Africa in the Peace Corps.

It is a wonderful read and Jason does a great job at describing life in post apartheid South Africa. He was assigned to work with schools implementing new curriculum in a rural area. He talks about the contrasts in the country. The town he lives in lacks most modern conveniences (like electricity) but is just a short distance from a large city with nightclubs and restaurants.

Jason also discusses racial tensions and the separation of the races post apartheid. He is the only white person most of the people in his village have ever known. Yet there is a nearby town where many white people live.

I thought this was a great book and would recommend it to anyone interested in South Africa or the Peace Corps.