Washington – Page 3 – Ben East Books

Notes from the Board

Mar 25, 2025

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by

in Diplomacy, Editing, Foreign Affairs, FSJ, Government Studies, Nonfiction, Politics, Washington

Today I fulfilled a long-held aspiration, joining the editorial board of the Foreign Service Journal. For nearly a quarter century this storied publication has followed me around the world from Jeddah to Nicaragua and Mexico City to Mumbai.

Fooling around with cover art

Mar 22, 2025

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by

Ben East

in Blogs, Books, Diplomacy, Fiction, Foreign Affairs, Government Studies, Inspiration, Nonfiction, Peace Corps, Travel, Two Pumps for the Body Man, Washington, Writing

This is not my first time designing a jacket. That turned out disastrously…

Spring

Mar 16, 2025

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Ben East

in Calendar, Health, Nature, Seasons, Time, Virginia, Washington, Writing

Spring begins this week. All the harbingers are there: buds on trees, birdsong in plenty, St. Patrick’s Day, notable birthdays, then Friday: Spring.

Publication Announcement

Mar 11, 2025

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by

Ben East

in Books, Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, Government Studies, Nonfiction, Peace, Peace Corps, Reading, Washington, Writing

From the first generation of Peace Corps Volunteers emerged 50 future ambassadors, protagonists in some of our nation’s most dramatic events over the last 65 years.

You Can Thank Me Later

Feb 1, 2025

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by

Ben East

in Billionaires, Blogs, Book Reviews, Books, Inspiration, Non-Fiction, Podcast, Politics, Washington, Winter, Writing

I almost forgot I’d started a podcast called Backstory, inspired by heavy traffic to a book review published in 2015. At the time I recorded two more reviews and never got around to sharing. Here’s my new audio, with an updated show name: Backstory with Ben East.

Imagine: Music that Can Cure What Ails

Jan 9, 2025

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Ben East

in Inspiration, Music, Politics, Washington, Weather, Winter

I like that Jimmy Carter wanted Imagine sung at his funeral.

Real World

Dec 30, 2024

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by

Ben East

in Calendar, Christmas, Government Studies, Holidays, Home, Inspiration, Office, Time, Washington, Winter

One last time I’ll flick the switch to light the tree and warm my home with that iridescent glow, more a mood and vibe than actual color associated with words.

Jimmy Carter

Dec 29, 2024

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by

Ben East

in Africa, Foreign Affairs, Government Studies, Health, Inspiration, Peace, Politics, Travel, Washington

I met him in Accra when the Carter Center visited Ghana for an update on its Guinea Worm eradication program. He was humble, polite, and eager to hear from the embassy briefers.