Mars on Earth: Wanderings in the Worlds Driest Desert [Hardcover]

Embark on an extraordinary odyssey through the heart of the world's driest non-polar desertthe Atacama. InMars on Earth, intrepid journalist Mark Johanson navigates this otherworldly terrain, a sliver of camel-colored hills, windswept dunes, and desolate salt flats nestled between the Pacific's tumultuous waves and the towering Andes. Unfolding against the backdrop of Chile's 2019-2020 protests, Mark's journey begins in Santiago, unraveling a rich tapestry of human resilience and passion that fuels a nation's desire for change.

As he traverses 1,200 miles of alien landscapes, Mark climbs to the Andean Altiplano's dizzying heights, explores the Pacific's kelp forests, and ventures onto a lithium-rich salt flat threatened by progress. The narrative reaches new heights as Mark delves into the heart of the Atacama, meeting captivating charactersa guardian of ancient mummies, a guru in a glass box, and a copper miner who defied nature's grasp for 69 days. At its core,Mars on Earthweaves a rich tapestry of voices, highlighting the stories of Chile's marginalized communities, including the working class, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and immigrant communities from Venezuela and Haiti. Each narrative contributes to the social movement that could redefine the nation's future. This vibrant and adventurous work of narrative nonfiction is a captivating exploration of a land both barren and brimming with life.CA

“Mark Johanson’sMars on Earthsurpasses travel memoir. This is a heartfelt, evocative narrative that transports readers to revelatory, antipodean terrain where deserts hide oases of wonder.”—Bill Arnott, bestselling author of theGone Vikingtravelogues

“Mark is one of those rare journalists who lƒI