Mark D. Walker’s New E-Book, The Guatemala Reader, Reaches Bestseller Status

Mark D. Walker, an award-winning travel writer, has announced that his latest e-book, The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives and Amazing Stories, has achieved bestseller status in the Guatemala History and the Guatemala Travel Guides categories. Walker, a graduate of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of Texas in Austin, brings over fifty years of study and writing about Guatemala to this new release.

With Guatemala facing a crisis of democracy and persistent turmoil along its borders, understanding the human realities depicted in Walker’s book is more crucial than ever. The country attracts millions of tourists annually, who often start their journeys in Central America's largest city before exploring ancient Mayan ruins and contemporary Maya villages. Walker’s extensive travels to remote areas of Guatemala have provided him with unique insights, which he shares through personal encounters and profiles of local Mayan leaders, advocates, writers, and poets.

The Guatemala Reader is supported by maps, graphs, fact sheets, and photos that enhance the 18 stories included in the book, offering a deep dive into the inner workings of Guatemalan society. The book begins with literary and biographical stories and transitions into contemporary issues, including the impact of the Peace Corps over the last 60 years and the dynamics leading to the ongoing immigration crisis. It concludes with an overview of Guatemala's political, cultural, and economic life and provides a section on how individuals can make a difference through their actions and philanthropy.

Walker invites readers to join him on an epic journey through Guatemala, emphasizing the importance of understanding the country's human realities to secure a more promising future. The book has received rave reviews, with one 5-star reviewer calling it a "treasure trove of things Guatemalan" and another recommending it to those seeking a humanistic view of the country and its people.

Bob Graham, author of 50-50 at 50 and founder of the Katalysis Partnership and Namaste Direct, described the book as a modern-day classic. Joe Lurie, Emeritus Executive Director of UC Berkeley's International House, praised it for offering "inspiring escape hatches from misleading, oversimplified stereotypes" and enriching personal and humane engagement. Professor Stephen Benz of the University of New Mexico lauded it as "brimming with wisdom, insight, and compassion," calling Walker the ideal guide for understanding the issues confronting Guatemala and Central America.

Walker’s previous works include My Saddest of Pleasures: 50 Years on the Road and Different Latitudes: My Life in the Peace Corps and Beyond, both of which have received critical acclaim. He has published more than 20 articles in various journals and is a contributing writer for Revue Magazine, Literary Traveler, and the Wanderlust Journal. His column, "The Million Mile Walker Review, What We're Reading and Why," is featured in the Arizona Authors Association newsletter.

Mark D. Walker has dedicated over forty years to helping disadvantaged people in the developing world through organizations such as Make A Wish International, MAP International, and HAGAR USA. His extensive experience and deep connection to Guatemala, where his wife and three children were born, make him a credible and passionate advocate for the country. More information about his work and books can be found on his website, https://millionmilewalker.com.