Reflections on citizenship, democracy, literature, and contemporary American life. Serious book reviews, social satire, and comedy not for everyone.
Ben East’s nonfiction debut recounts how JFK’s bold experiment shaped diplomatic careers and influenced modern American diplomacy.
The figures highlighted here tracked looted antiquities after the invasion of Iraq, re-established diplomacy in Afghanistan after 9/11, and secured village infrastructure while war raged in Vietnam. As hostages in Iran, they maintained diplomatic discipline to bridge a volatile cultural divide. These are individuals of deep courage and conviction, whether integrating a southern U.S. high school or finding comfort in African village beliefs to cope with personal tragedy.
Read, Listen, Watch
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Captured along the Shiloh Greenway in Morrisville North Carolina. Lots of pollen and sunshine yesterday. Thunderstorms and heavy rain in the evening. The streets looked painted yellow this morning and the pollen count remains elevated. Touring UNC and have thoughts on that to share tomorrow. ##
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Ran past a graveyard Lost in the wood Buried in pollen From pines in the sky Celebrated a birthday Singing las manzanitas Eating tacos and chips Guac and mole Test drove an Outback Twenty twenty-five Nice improvement Over the twenty one-one Napped, walked, and YouTubed The SNL cold open Watched college hoops And cleaned up…
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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.
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This is not my first time designing a jacket. That turned out disastrously…
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Spring begins this week. All the harbingers are there: buds on trees, birdsong in plenty, St. Patrick’s Day, notable birthdays, then Friday: Spring.
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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.
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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.
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Turns out I do have a podcast.
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Rather than do a shrug emoji and move on, I embraced the notoriety, made a quick audio file, and added to the page.
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I like that Jimmy Carter wanted Imagine sung at his funeral.
Ben East Books 