4 out of 4 stars
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There are hardly any occurrences more profound in life than when you find your calling. Eric Wilson found his calling in a place he might never have thought to look: through the lives of four Russian boys named Gleb, Max, Daniil and Tioma.
In Raising the KGB: A Journey Through Fatherhood in Pursuit of the American Dream, Eric recounts the experiences they’ve had in the last ten years. This account starts from when Gunther and Donald invites him to help raise some Russian boys they brought to America on a scholarship program. These two rich men i.e. Gunther and Donald, had started this program to give underprivileged children from Russia a chance at a better life in America. After a lot of careful thought, Eric decides he could make a positive impact in the kids’ lives and accepts the invitation. He is left trying to fulfill his words and actually get these children through school when the scholarship program gets canceled. This story details the highs and lows, successes and failures, and the amusing moments he had raising these boys as a single man.
If I had a list of favorite memoirs, this book will be ranked high on that list. House parents that take their role to heart like Eric are rare. Despite having to contend with a serious paucity of funds, he struggled to give his boys the best life attainable. He was fiercely protective, fighting to champion their cause countless times. When Donald, who had brought these boys to America in the first place, tried to take some decisions that were not in their best interests, Eric went toe to toe with him and stood firm as a shield for the boys. He always ensured that he was available, and he built great relationships with them. Given the growing number of deadbeat parents in the society today, Eric deserves a lot of accolades for his perseverance and love.
As I read through this book, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Eric’s family setting with the boys and what is prevalent today’s society. When grown children make unpopular decisions, it can prove really crushing for a parent. Eric’s experience with Max falls into this category. I find it inspiring that in spite of what happened between them, Eric never gave up on his son. It is an example even more parents should emulate.
The style of writing in this book makes it really enjoyable. This is not just one boring account of day-to-day tedium. The author includes enough details about each individual to help the reader understand them better, making this tale more interesting. He also describes the fun moments they had, including the times the kids played pranks on him.
Without reservation, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. True, I found a few errors, but I don’t feel they were serious enough to deserve a lower score. I would totally recommend this book to every memoir lover.
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Raising the KGB
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