Friends and Colleagues from Around the World,
This month’s Dispatch will be a “Twofer” for several reasons—first, it is the March and April edition, and the second one is revealed below. I’ve completed my latest essay on Moritz Thomsen which will be part of my next book. I share a revelation from my latest presentation for the Phoenix Writers Club and make a shout out about the work of SEEDS for the Future. Culture Watch will include setbacks on global freedom of expression, followed by What We’re Reading and Why, What Others Are Saying, plus an updated Calendar.
I’ve received invaluable input from several writers who knew and appreciated Moritz Thomsen’s work in my following essay on his life, “The Journey’s End: How Travel and Aging Shaped Moritz Thomsen’s Literary Legacy”. My focus is how Moritz Thomsen’s literary journey reveals a complex interaction between aging, travel, and self-reflection that distinguishes his work in the pantheon of American expatriate literature. I show why he’s the “writer’s writer,” since many accomplished writers praised his work, like Paul Theroux, Tom Miller, Martha Gellhorn, Page, and Wallace Stegner, to mention a few. The article is unpublished, so please let me know if a prospective magazine comes to mind.
During my participation on a panel of authors discussing “Lessons Learned” at the Phoenix Writers Club gathering, I was surprised to learn that none of the 25 attendees were familiar with the crowdfunding platform for creatives, Kickstarter. They have generated over $8 BILLION in funding for creatives, which include authors and artists, for almost 275,000 projects, and provides for over 100 MILLION pledges. My campaign connected me with a small band of readers and advocates who funded the publication of my latest book, The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives and Amazing People. Check out our Kickstarter journey: The Guatemala Reader by Mark D. Walker — Kickstarter
Culture Watch
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I found the Voice of America to be a key source of information, and today, like Radio Free Europe, its funds are being cut. Radio Free Europe podcasts to 350 million around the world— its defunding sacrificed freedom of expression to 60 million in places like Russia, China, and N. Korea.
Another key source of information, Radio Marti, which provided uncensored news in Spanish to Cuba, was closed down, accomplishing what the Cuban regime was unable to do in four decades. This coincides with the Cuban regime’s cracking down on dissent (sound familiar?) To add insult to injury, Arizona news anchor, election-denier, and conspiracy theorist Kari Lake is in charge of dismantling the US Agency for Global Media. What could go wrong? This from “El Pais” Trump fulfills Fidel Castro’s lifelong dream by silencing Radio Televisión Martí | U.S. | EL PAÍS English.
What We’re Reading and Why?
I’ve read and reviewed the last seven books from the “Dean of Travel Writing,” Paul Theroux, whose publisher sent me his latest. I wrote my second book, My Saddest Pleasures: 50 Years on the Road, in honor and appreciation of Theroux and another travel writer, Tom Miller, who personally knew and was inspired by Moritz Thomsen and passed their enthusiasm on to me. Thomsen wrote the Peace Corps experience classic, Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle. Theroux’s book, The Tao of Travel, celebrates 50 years of travel writing and inspired my series, “The Yin & Yang of Travel.”
At 83, Theroux is being interviewed on many podcasts and journals, including Driving with Paul Theroux on TikTok, where he discusses all aspects of travel writing. Vanishing Point is a collection of eighteen stories. Each story focuses on life’s vanishing points—a moment when all lines running through one’s life converge, and one can see no farther, yet must deal with the implications and what comes next. Eighteen fascinating stories—for the full review, go to The Vanishing Point: Stories by Paul Theroux, Reviewed by Mark D. Walker – Million Mile Walker.
Next up? Fellow Returned Peace Corps Volunteer author John Thorndike sent me an advanced reader copy of his next book, The Passionate Sister. I reviewed his most recent book, The World Against Her Skin. Both books blend biography and fiction: The World Against Her Skin: A Son’s Novel, by John Thorndike, Reviewed by Mark D. Walker – Million Mile Walker.
What Others Are Saying
On my review of The Vanishing:
Brilliant review, Mark, and so beautifully rendered to the point that it does justice to the penman we all here are touched by. You outdid yourself, my friend, and my respect for you keeps climbing the vines of life — our life as shared in the magic of having served in the Peace Corps… Eric Madeen, a fellow author who I’ve read and reviewed: Water Drumming in the Soul: A Novel of Racy Love in the Heart of Africa, Eric Madeen, Reviewed by Mark D. Walker – Million Mile Walker
On the last issue of the Million Mile Walker Dispatch, which highlighted plans for The Moritz Thomsen Reader:
Hi Mark, Thank you for rekindling Moritz. I read My Two Wars a while back and thought it was one of the best-written books I’d ever read. You’re working on a great project – he deserves more recognition. Thank you, Christopher Warren, Deputy Director, SEEDS for a Future Seeds for a Future Creates Long-Term Food Security in Guatemala.
SEEDS for a Future will be part of Arizona Gives Day April 1st. As a board member, I’m proud to promote the reduction of malnutrition in Guatemala by increasing food security. Since 2009, we’ve trained over 5,200 families to plant sustainable gardens. I plan to see the work firsthand in July. Even if you aren’t in Arizona, please support our work. https://mtyc.co/619z3g
Calendar
- March 25: I went to the dentist to check out a toothache and was told after numerous x-rays that two of my teeth needed root canals. The Twofer from hell!
- April 3: Peace Corps Worldwide Advisory Board meeting. We’re refocusing the group on the needs of Returned Corps Volunteer writers. Check out our Substack for my latest book reviews and all the news and creations of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers: (3) Peace Corps Worldwide | Glenn Blumhorst | Substack.
- April 26:10am Zoom discussion with members of the Arizona Professional Writers Group about the making of The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary People and Amazing Stories. APW Book Club selections 2024-25 | Arizona Professional Writers
You can find my 85 book reviews and 28 articles, plus several videos and photos, on my website, including a reduced price for my new book if you read it and pass it along to your local library: http://millionmilewalker.com. “Follow” me on Blue Sky—at (2) @millionmilewalker.bsky.social — Bluesky, Substack- Mark D Walker| Substack – and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/millionmilewalker/ for the latest international affairs and literature. And please share the link to the sign-up page to the Dispatch for any friends you think will enjoy it. Million Mile Walker Newsletter – Million Mile Walker.
And, as always, if you’ve read Different Latitudes: My Life in the Peace Corps and Beyond, My Saddest Pleasures: 50 Years on the Road, the Best Travel Book according to the Peace Corps Writers, and, of course, my most recent book, The Guatemala Reader, please review and rate them on Amazon and Goodreads.
Shalom!
Mark D. Walker