Laramie's Mark Jenkins is a critically acclaimed author, internationally recognized journalist, and renowned speaker. As a field staff writer for National Geographic, Jenkins covers the globe writing and speaking about geopolitical issues, from opium smuggling in Afghanistan to HIV/AIDS in Botswana, ethnic cleansing in Burma to mountaineering in Pakistan.The author of four books, To Timbuktu, Off the Map, The Hard Way, and the recently released A Man’s Life, Jenkins’ writing has also been selected for inclusion in the past three Best American Travel Writing anthologies. To read stories from The Hard Way, please visit: www.thehardway.com.
For more than a decade, critics have raved about Jenkins’ unique perspective on the world, adventure and tackling challenges. Describing A Man’s Life, Kirkus Reviews said “Jenkins’ superb memory and solid writing chops break him out from the pack of true-life adventure describes.” Writing about The Hard Way in a full-page review, the L.A.Times wrote: “Brought to life by a poetic and muscular style, Jenkins’ writing is a brew of history, philosophy and raw emotion. His journeys are as intellectual and spiritual as they are physical, and we are by his side, in his head.” Critic Amanda Heller, writing for the Boston Globe, summed it up: "Blessed with a rare combination of physical and intellectual grace, Jenkins weaves a compelling narrative of muscular beauty and emotional honesty. He makes us understand what pushes the man who pushes the envelope."
At the Equality State Book Festival in Casper, see Jenkins on the panel, "Plain Facts and True Stories", Saturday, Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. He will be available to sign books following the panel.
