It began with a spark (chi, chi, chi, le, le, le ... viva Chile) -- A message from above (cults, stars and signs: how deserts mess with minds) -- Sea to sky, part one: sea (coastal geographies) -- Sea to sky, part two: sky (Andean geographies) -- Of mines and men (politics, power and masculinity: how deserts bury secrets) -- Reading the coca leaves (the life and legends of the Likan Antai) -- Radiant Sun (the life and legends of the Aymara) -- It's blooming bones (the ancient Atacama) -- Out of breath (end of the road)

"An utterly unique travel memoir about a gay expat searching an otherworldly place for a deeper understanding of his partner and his adoptive homeland. Embark on an extraordinary odyssey through the heart of the world's driest non-polar desert--the Atacama. In Mars 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 characters--a 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 Earth weaves 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"--Amazon website