Books Nominated for Peace Corps Writer Awards

[Books published in 2010 and Nominated for the Peace Corps Writers Award]

Paul Cowan Non-Fiction Award

Faith, Interrupted: A Spiritual Journey by Eric Lax (Micronesia 1966-68)

Henry Walters and Bernard Berenson: Collector and Connoisseur by Stanley Mazaroff (Philippines 1961-63)

The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick by Gene Stone (Niger 1974-76)

Emerging Africa: How 17 Countries Are Leading the Way by Steven Radelet (Western Samoa 1981-83)

Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter by Tom Bissell (Uzbekistan 1996-97)

Lyndon B. Johnson by Charles Peters (PC/Staff 1961-63)

Thoreau the Land Surveyor by Patrick Chura (Lithuania 1992-94)

Maria Thomas Fiction Award

Last Train From Cuernavaca by Lucia St. Clair Robson (Venezuela 1964-66)

Green Pearl Odyssey by Reilly Ridgell (Micronesia 1971-73)

The Plum Rains and Other Stories by John Givens (Korea 1967-69)

 Cold Snap: Bulgaria Stories by Cynthia Morrison Phoel (Bulgaria 1994-96)

 Gloryland by Shelton Johnson (Liberia 1982-84)

 A Dead Hand: A Crime in Calcutta by Paul Theroux (Malawi 1963-65)

Moritz Thomsen Peace Corps Experience Award (Memoir)

How to Cook a Crocodile: A Memoir with Recipes by Bonnie Lee Black (Gabon 1996-98)

When Things Get Dark: A Mongolian Winter’s Tale by Matthew Davis (Mongolia 2000-02)

The Nightingale of Mosul A Nurse’s Journey of Service, Struggle, and War by Susan Luz (Brazil 1972-75)

From Microsoft to Malawi: Learning on the Front Lines as a Peace Corps Volunteer by Michael Buckler (Malawi 2006-08)

Poetry Award

Weavings by Mary Ellen Branan (Poland 1994-96)

 Mosquito Operas: New and Selected Short Poems by Philip Dacey (Nigeria 1964-66)

 Never Seek to Tell Thy Love: A Love Odyssey by Andrew Oerke (PC/Staff 1966-71)

Travel Writing

Okanagan Odyssey: Journeys through Terrain, Terror and Culture by Don Gayton (Colombia 1966-68)

Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory by Peter Hessler (China 1966-68)

Children Book

A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen (Tanzania 1989-90)

Chess Child: The story of Ray Robson: America’s Youngest Grandmaster by Gary Robson (Philippines 1987-80)

Cook Books

Southern Pies: A Gracious Plenty of Pie Recipes and Lemon Chess to Chocolate Pecan by Nanci McDermott (Thailand 1975-78)

Publisher’s Special Award

Being First: An Informal History of the Early Peace Corps by Robert Klein (Ghana 1961-63)

Peace Corps Chronology: 1961-2010 by Lawrence F. Lihosit (Honduras 1975-77)

Graphic Novel

Soldiers of God by Kelly Clany (Turkmenistan 2004-06)