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 […]
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Los Nawales: The Ancient Ones Merchants, Wives and overs: the Creation Story of MaXimon by Vincent James Stanzione, Reviewed by Mark D. Walker
Reviewed by Mark D. Walker During a recent visit to Guatemala, my Guatemalan wife picked this book up at the Museum Miraflores, which focuses on the ancient city of Kaminaljuyu. My grandchildren were fascinated with an interactive exhibit to identify one’s “Nawales” or ancient ones. After reading the book, I realized it offered a rare window into Maya Cosmology. Vincent James Stanzione’s limited edition work (one of only 750 printed copies) offers readers an extraordinary glimpse into the enigmatic cult of Maximon and the complex spiritual landscape of contemporary Maya communities around Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Francisco Goldman (The Are […]
Continue readingThe Making of the Moritz Thomsen Reader–a New Book, The Million Mile Walker Dispatch, February Edition 2025
Friends and Colleagues from Around the World, This year, I’m working on a new book, The Moritz Thomsen Reader. I’ll outline the initial plan, ask for input, and end with an updated Calendar. But first, click on the Poster above to see the latest Arizona Authors Association Digest, which includes the Million Mile Walker Review on top books for 2024 (pg. 23), a sighting of my latest book in Antigua Guatemala (pg. 10) and my critique of Paul Theroux’s essay on Expats, as well as my latest essay on traveling with granddaughters (pg. 54). Moritz is part of a talented […]
Continue readingMy Take on Paul Theroux’s Reality Check for Expats
Paul Theroux, one of the most prolific Returned Peace Corps travel writers, provides an insightful rendition of the plight of expats. He reminds us with a quote from obnoxious nativist Pap Finn from the “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” that Americans have complained about the state of affairs here, and many have acted on the threat to find refuge abroad, which is ironic today when millions are putting their lives at risk coming here. Those leaving often are looking for something new, according to Theroux. Pap Finn’s rant, “A man can’t get his rights in a government like this. Sometimes I […]
Continue readingSo, What’s a Writer to Do? Million Mile Walker Dispatch December, 2024 edition
Dear Colleagues and Friends from Around the World, Thanksgiving greetings to one and all! You can click on the poster above to access the latest Arizona Authors Association Dispatch (AAA), which includes accomplishments and my latest book review, as well as several essays and resources from top authors of the AAA. This month, I’ll focus on the writer’s role in this ever-more violent and complex world. 2024 was a year with unprecedented violence, record immigrant displacement, a growth with human trafficking, growing inequality, greater levels of misinformation, political abuse, and hatred against the “enemy from within,” which includes immigrants as […]
Continue readingVagabond Dreams: Road Wisdom from Central America by Ryan Murdock, Reviewed by Mark D. Walker
I met the author through his podcast, Personal Landscapes: Conversations on Books About Place, which included interviews with some of my favorite authors: Paul Theroux on Orwell and Burma Sahib, Thomas Swick: Life in Cold War Poland, Nicholas Shakespeare on Ian Fleming, Barnaby Rogerson: The making of the Middle East and Jeremy Bassetti: Pilgrims on Bolivia’s Hill of Skulls. Murdock’s latest book, A Sunny Place for Shady People, takes place in Malta and blends travel writing and political reportage to show why a journalist was killed in broad daylight in a tiny European Union member state. But I chose Vagabond […]
Continue readingA BookFest Award, Plus Global Threats to Free Press! Million Mile Walker Dispatch November 2024
Dear Colleagues and Friends from Around the World, This month, you can click on the poster above to access an Ad in the Arizona Authors Association Literary Magazine, “Two Arizona Authors Celebrate Their Passion For Guatemala.” Earl de Berge is the other author, and he’s a poet and co-founder of Seeds for a Future, which we highlight as well. I highlighted him and his wife Susanne in The Guatemala Reader, “Allegro to Guatemala: An Expatriate Journey Through the Land of Eternal Spring.” Earl recruited me to their board, and we all lived in Guatemala and are still working to […]
Continue readingMidwest Book Review of The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives & Amazing Stories by Mark D. Walker
The Guatemala Reader–Extraordinary Lives and Amazing Stories Mark D. Walker Contact Email: [email protected] The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives And Amazing Stories: Walker, Mark D.: 9798990236622: Amazon.com: Books Synopsis: Guatemala is a country with a complex history, rich culture, and diverse political landscape. This exciting book offers you a unique perspective to explore this country’s unique tapestry of everyday life through descriptive words and passages. Throughout the pages, this book showcases the diverse and vibrant aspects of Guatemala’s culture and history, and our latest addition to our collection will particularly intrigue you. This author brings in-depth facts and pictures that […]
Continue readingTraveling to Guatemala with Granddaughters, Million Mile Walker Dispatch, August Edition 2024
Dear Colleagues & Friends from Around the World, Putting together my photo album of our three-week sojourn through Guatemala with two granddaughters allowed me to reflect on the pluses and downsides of such a trip. I’ve revised my website based on this experience and the best-selling book. I have some new What Others Are Saying quotes and some new What We’re Reading (and viewing) and Why, topped off with an updated Calendar. And, as a special BONUS, click on the Million Mile Walker poster above for the latest Arizona Authors Association Dispatch. It includes an exceptional segment on the making […]
Continue readingWalking With Evaristo: a Memoir of Celebration and Tragedy in the Land of the Achí Maya by Christian Nill, Reviewed by Mark D. Walker
Fellow Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Christian Nill has written an engaging story about the impact and consequences of his experience as a volunteer in the highlands of Guatemala. He’s also made a timely contribution to our understanding of the devastating ten-year period of violence there. Although I was a volunteer five years before Nill, the similarities were amazing. I worked on a study for CARE identifying some of the management and conservation practices used for the Food-for-Work program implemented in conjunction with the group Nill worked with, INAFOR (National Forestry Institute). My second site was also in Baja Verapaz, where […]
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