Assumptions and Misunderstandings Memoir of an Unwitting Spy

Ever since excerpts of my 1993 Christmas letter from Ukraine appeared in a Smith Alumnae Quarterly, I had toyed with the idea of writing this memoir. But it had taken me until 2005 to act. Not having ESL materials with me, I’d given one of my students several chapters to read. To my amazement, she admitted having totally forgotten the period. Suddenly, finishing my memoir became a priority. Based on letters I’d written family and friends, Assumptions and Misunderstandings, Memoir of an Unwitting Spy details my experiences during a short but fascinating period in the history of Ukraine.

Copies are 50 UAH in Ukraine and $14.95 in the United States plus shipping.

Copies of Assumptions and Misunderstandings can be purchased from Yevshan, from Amazon.com and from several shops and bookstores in Ukraine. For specific information, contact us through this website.

“Anne Linden’s assumptions upon arriving in post-Soviet Ukraine seem fairly reasonable for a person who enjoyed an active community and socially responsible life for decades in the United States. And the misunderstandings she encountered in her efforts to do the best job possible as a Peace Corps volunteer resulted in sometimes hilarious, sometimes frightening episodes. From coordinating her first and only large scale Thanksgiving feast within days of her arrival to trying to convince local government officials that she was not, in spite of what they thought, a spy sent by Washington, Anne’s story is one of determination and perseverance in a foreign, at times hostile, environment.

Her snapshot of a Peace Corps volunteer’s tour in Ukraine in the early 1990s provides a yardstick by which Ukraine’s progress toward a more civil society can be measured. It is a testament to how hearts and minds can be engaged and won over in the span of a decade. Hers is a book that also shows how far the country has yet to go before even relatively simple problems, like plumbing and heating, become a thing of the past; some of the problems with bureaucracy and corruption Anne describes can still be encountered today.

Anne took the time to listen to and learn from the people she was sent to help. As a result, when she began working with them, she found receptive audiences.

Anne’s book will echo in the hearts and minds of anyone new to the post Soviet Union who is struggling with differences in language and culture, both major and minor annoyances, as well as daily and seasonal hardships.

Her insights provide valuable lessons for those with dealings in Ukraine today.”

Stepan Bandera, Journalist
News Channel: Time

“Anne Linden is a very good storyteller. As a new member of the Peace Corps during 1992-93, she provides a colorful account of the days and months that initiated her into Ukrainian culture right after that country broke away from the Soviet Union. This book chronicles her first 13 months with the program.

The characters she meets (I intend this word in all of its connotations, of course) are interesting and some are obnoxious. Anne, however, persists in her humanitarian goals despite long bureaucratic odds. Her perseverance is a triumph against the establishment. Surprisingly, some of the obstacles were posed by our very own Peace Corps.

Her sense of humor, often ironic, provides some relief for Anne, as well as the reader. Many of the qualities she reveals about herself are also in each of us; however, just translated to a different culture, continent and endeavor. How many of us will see ourselves in her tales? How relevant today is her story?

I believe that our classmates (and other folks interested in current affairs and other cultures) will find this a page-turner -- not to mention, a trove of information about what it is like for a mature American to encounter people who have lived under a totalitarian regime for many years, now emerging into a capitalistic world where the safety net is suddenly pulled out from under.

Experiencing this book, I came to know and appreciate Anne even more than ever. She's a true pioneer.”

Sheila Kowal

This book is enthusiastically recommended for anyone who's looking for a very readable and engaging picture of what Peace Corps service in Eastern Europe is like, or for any returned PCVs who want to be entertained by an account of PC life they'll joyfully identify with. The book brings home beautifully the clash of cultures any visitor to a foreign country encounters, and it may also whet your appetite for Eastern European travel--while also providing some valuable caveats about the region, many good laughs, and even a few culinary tips you won't find anywhere else! Read it!

A good read, May 28, 2007 By J. Ferguson (Portland, OR)

If you ever enjoyed Mrs.Pollifax' adventures you definitely will enjoy Anne Linden's story. Even more, as all events described in her elegant witty style are real and featured with the author's personal perception. And you definetly will be charmed with eloquent Shabunin's illustrations.

The Book You Will Enjoy, April 15, 2007 By Oksana Timchneko

I am half way through Anne Linden's book and am captivated by her somewhat dry sense of humor and literal accounts of life immediately after Ukraine's independence. Her stories and personal experiences are engaging and remain relevant to other foreigners working and living in Ukraine today. Much of what she describes is no longer immediately visible to newcomers, and yet the dynamics are all too familiar despite the passing of more than a decade. For those seeking a first-hand account of life after the fall of Soviet rule, prepare yourself for a personal journey through Anne's book.

A Captivating Journey, April 4, 2007 By N. Godfrey

I opened Assumptions and Misunderstandings in the post office and twenty minutes and many pages later I again became aware of my surroundings. I was captivated by Anne Bates Linden's charming and lively account of her mature adult Peace Corps days in Ukraine. The setting is the years following Ukraine's Declaration of Independence. Those were tough days and she was caught up in some tough situations. Before I finished her book I was mentally begging her to get out of there - just pack a handbag and quietly and quickly leave. But she stuck. Courage, persistence and boundless compassion describe Anne Linden. It's a book worth reading.

Spy or Not?, April 4, 2007 Spy or Not?, April 4, 2007 By Walter D. Cottrell Jr. "David Cottrell" (Ohio USA)