LEGAL ANALYST/AUTHOR: John O’Connor, Postgate: How the Washington Post Betrayed Deep Throat, Covered Up Watergate, and Began Today’s Partisan Advocacy Journalism He served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Northern California representing the United States in both criminal and civil cases.

It Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time

Like Confessions of a Clueless Rebel, this is a true story that brings us back in time. Partly
serious and largely humorous, this tale captures the real story of an idealistic band of youthful
Americans who journeyed halfway around the world in response to President John F. Kennedy’s
call to ‘…ask what you can do for your country.’ They signed up to serve in the Peace Corps
back in those waning days of Camelot when fervor and innocence trumped experience and
common sense. Little did they realize what that decision would entail.
These recollections from the author and several aging members of India-44, a well-meaning if
ill-fated Peace Corps group, serve as a reasonable proxy for those early volunteer days…what
later would be known as the ‘wild west’ of overseas service. The group served in what were
considered comparatively difficult Peace Corps sites, pre-industrial villages in rural India where
some provided health services and others agricultural advice. Unfortunately, virtually none of
them were technically prepared for the roles they were expected to play.
In hindsight, it was a situation ripe for disaster or great humor, depending on your view the
world. Despite the challenges, their experiences manage to capture some of the best of our
people and our country, as well as provide much at which to laugh, wonder, and sometimes even
weep. This is no sugar-coated tale of heroic deeds and boundless success. Far from it! They were
simply a bunch of smart kids doing their best in a very difficult, almost impossible, situation.
Join them as they sought meaning, love, understanding, and purpose in places and situations that
challenged them to the fullest and, for the most part, made them more complete human beings. It
really did seem like a good idea at the time. In the end, it was!
Amazon reader reviews of Corbett’s Confessions of a Clueless Rebel: 4.9 out of
5-star rating!!!
“Another winner from Tom Corbett. I’ve read several of Tom Corbett’s books and I’ve enjoyed
them all. He’s a very talented author and storyteller.”
“Tom Corbett is a gifted story-teller. He pours raw honesty and cleverness into his writing that both
amuses and inspires you.”
“Corbett does an excellent job weaving his tale in a way that both inspires and amuses, heartens and
saddens.”
“I found myself on an emotional roller coaster throughout the story.”
“Reflective, insightful, and intimate. Experience nostalgia even if you are 46 years younger than
Corbett, like me!”
“Corbett is a great storyteller who knows how to connect memories and ideas to find meaning and
to make his ordinary life entertaining, relatable, and amusing.”
“Reading Confessions of a Clueless Rebel makes me feel I’m at a coffee shop with the author,
swapping stories about life.”

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