The Potato Peeler - Tapa blanda

This is the story of a man from Greece and the journey that would eventually take him to the USA, the country of his dreams. Paul P. Rachmanides was born on November 19, 1949 in Dikea, Eyros, Greece. Paul’s early life on the farm and the strict rules of his father, helped establish principles for the future. After graduating from high school in June of 1967, Paul served honorably in the Greek Special Forces as a Second Lieutenant and graduated from both the Ranger and Jump schools. Paul set his mind on acquiring a student VISA and would make it to the United States on August 23, 1971. Without knowing a word of English or anyone, he received a Masters Degree from Thunderbird, the School of Global Management through perseverance and dedication. He worked for CBS Records International in Europe as an Executive Trainee for one year before resigning so he could return to his dream country, the USA. Paul felt his dream of living in America slipping away, but he would struggle but also succeed in returning. For the next twenty years Paul experiences his own Odyssey, desperately trying to build the life he wants for himself. On January 18, 2001, Paul founded State Inspection of Kingwood. He was profitable by the fourth month of operation and never looked back. Today he continues to be a very successful small business owner. This is what America is all about. A land full of promise and opportunity; “The Promised Land”. Promise and opportunity cannot be given. They are out there, they must be pursued relentlessly, regardless of the resources on hand. www.thepotatopeeler.com

Review of "The Potato Peeler" by Bryan Winfrey Imagine growing up in another country. Imagine that your dream is to leave your country for America. Now imagine making your dream a reality, all while knowing exactly none of the official language, English. In this inspiring tale, Paul Rachmanides, a Greek immigrant to the United States of America, relates his incredible experience of doing exactly that. Written with words and imagery which leap off the page, instantly transporting the reader to the early-1970s and the newfound world of a bright-eyed, ambitious, eager young man, The Potato Peeler is a work in the tradition of Horatio Alger, G.A. Henty, William Adams, and others who have written of individuals who overcome the odds to achieve great success. Filled with insights into human nature, valuable life-lessons, and colorful episodes, this literary debut from a first-generation, proud American is part self-help, part personal history, part philosophy, part success story and altogether entirely enjoyable. The story that unfolds throughout is one of a young man’s personal Odyssey and bears witness to the American Dream in action. If ever there was a textbook that outlines the path to self-actualization and the manifestation of one’s own destiny, this could be it. With chapters of anecdotes illustrative of his drive to success, The Potato Peeler is a highly readable, thoroughly entertaining tale which serves to inspire, motivate, and educate. We are not all fortunate enough to have been born in the land of opportunity that is America, but as Mr. Rachmanides clearly shows in his book, each and every one of us have the chance to enact real change in our circumstances if we so wish. His is a story which clearly shows that with courage, resolve, strength, and intelligence, we can all avail ourselves to make the best of our opportunities, and create them for ourselves when it may seem that there are none. Readers of this work will be taken along with the author on the journey of a lifetime – truly.