Books with author Marvin Johnson

"Mark Johnson has a magical way of picking you up from your comfy reading chair and dropping you off in the heart of the cold and at times unforgiving Himalayas. I read the whole book in just a few quick sittings and constantly found myself laughing, biting my nails, and undeniably identifying with every ridiculous thing Mark found himself doing on his journey. If you enjoy grand adventures and a fair share of “dad humor,” add Mark’s EBC chronicle to your bookshelf now." ~ Tim Moore, The Penny HoarderImagine yourself trekking through the epic Himalayan wilderness to Everest Base Camp — 17,600 feet above sea level and the gateway to the planet’s most iconic mountain. Experience the world's most startling, high-altitude landscapes, interact with the welcoming Sherpa people, and struggle to catch your breath as you narrowly avoid being trampled by an oncoming train of enormous, shaggy yaks loaded with climbing expedition supplies. Now, imagine living this adventure without leaving your favorite reading chair."Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp" brings that scenario to life.In April 2018, Tennessee writer Mark E. Johnson embarked on a life-changing, grueling, and often-hilarious adventure — a 12-day, 80-mile trek to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal's Himalaya Mountains — after launching an improbable trekking company a year earlier. This was Johnson's first excursion out of the continental U.S., and this journey into the exotic country of Nepal was indeed a trial by fire (and ice). Hike alongside "Doofus Dad" on each part of this bucket list quest, from the starting point of Nashville, Tennessee, through a mind-numbing 23 hours of air travel, into the suicidal traffic of Kathmandu, and on every day of the trek with equal parts lush detail and sly humor. Experience Kathmandu’s Hindu and Buddhist temples, visit the infamous Yeti's Scalp of the Khumjung Monastery and join in on a hysterical salsa dance lesson at 14,000-feet. “Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp” is a gripping adventure story that also serves as a practical resource for future trekkers. It includes:A standard EBC trekking mapAn EBC itineraryDaily trekking statistics including elevation changes and hiking timesThe gear lists of Mark and his wife, HollyA Nepal trekking training guideThe foreword is provided by mountaineering legend and Everest blogger Alan Arnette, called "one of America’s most respected chroniclers of Everest," by Outside Magazine. “This book is a must-have for the bookshelf of yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's traveler,” says Arnette.The audiobook is read by Johnson and even includes sound effects from the trek itself.Johnson is a longtime freelancer and blog writer, best known for his Dave Barry-esque stories about parenting, rural living, and health and fitness.

As a young man, Earvin “Magic” Johnson admired his father and other small-town entrepreneurs who created jobs and served as leaders in his Midwestern community. He worked for them, watched them, and his interest in building communities through economic development grew even while his basketball career flourished. His fame as an NBA star gave him access to some of the most successful business leaders in the country. It was Earvin’s own entrepreneurial spirit that inspired them to serve as his mentors.Earvin made the transition from great athlete to greater entrepreneur through hard work and by avidly pursuing opportunities. He recognized that densely populated urban communities were ripe for commercial and residential development. He partnered with major brands like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, and T.G.I. Friday’s to lead a major economic push in these communities. The success of his businesses proved that ethnically diverse urban residents would welcome and support major brands if given the opportunity. Earvin continues to be a leader of urban economic development that provides jobs, goods, and a new spirit of community.32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business will inspire and enlighten readers who wish to make a similar impact with their careers and business endeavors.

As a young man, Earvin “Magic” Johnson admired his father and other small-town entrepreneurs who created jobs and served as leaders in his Midwestern community. He worked for them, watched them, and his interest in building communities through economic development grew even while his basketball career flourished. His fame as an NBA star gave him access to some of the most successful business leaders in the country. It was Earvin’s own entrepreneurial spirit that inspired them to serve as his mentors.Earvin made the transition from great athlete to greater entrepreneur through hard work and by avidly pursuing opportunities. He recognized that densely populated urban communities were ripe for commercial and residential development. He partnered with major brands like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, and T.G.I. Friday’s to lead a major economic push in these communities. The success of his businesses proved that ethnically diverse urban residents would welcome and support major brands if given the opportunity. Earvin continues to be a leader of urban economic development that provides jobs, goods, and a new spirit of community.32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business will inspire and enlighten readers who wish to make a similar impact with their careers and business endeavors.

As a young man, Earvin “Magic” Johnson admired his father and other small-town entrepreneurs who created jobs and served as leaders in his Midwestern community. He worked for them, watched them, and his interest in building communities through economic development grew even while his basketball career flourished. His fame as an NBA star gave him access to some of the most successful business leaders in the country. It was Earvin’s own entrepreneurial spirit that inspired them to serve as his mentors.Earvin made the transition from great athlete to greater entrepreneur through hard work and by avidly pursuing opportunities. He recognized that densely populated urban communities were ripe for commercial and residential development. He partnered with major brands like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, and T.G.I. Friday’s to lead a major economic push in these communities. The success of his businesses proved that ethnically diverse urban residents would welcome and support major brands if given the opportunity. Earvin continues to be a leader of urban economic development that provides jobs, goods, and a new spirit of community.32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business will inspire and enlighten readers who wish to make a similar impact with their careers and business endeavors.

"Mark Johnson has a magical way of picking you up from your comfy reading chair and dropping you off in the heart of the cold and at times unforgiving Himalayas. I read the whole book in just a few quick sittings and constantly found myself laughing, biting my nails, and undeniably identifying with every ridiculous thing Mark found himself doing on his journey. If you enjoy grand adventures and a fair share of “dad humor,” add Mark’s EBC chronicle to your bookshelf now." ~ Tim Moore, The Penny HoarderImagine yourself trekking through the epic Himalayan wilderness to Everest Base Camp — 17,600 feet above sea level and the gateway to the planet’s most iconic mountain. Experience the world's most startling, high-altitude landscapes, interact with the welcoming Sherpa people, and struggle to catch your breath as you narrowly avoid being trampled by an oncoming train of enormous, shaggy yaks loaded with climbing expedition supplies. Now, imagine living this adventure without leaving your favorite reading chair."Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp" brings that scenario to life.In April 2018, Tennessee writer Mark E. Johnson embarked on a life-changing, grueling, and often-hilarious adventure — a 12-day, 80-mile trek to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal's Himalaya Mountains — after launching an improbable trekking company a year earlier. This was Johnson's first excursion out of the continental U.S., and this journey into the exotic country of Nepal was indeed a trial by fire (and ice). Hike alongside "Doofus Dad" on each part of this bucket list quest, from the starting point of Nashville, Tennessee, through a mind-numbing 23 hours of air travel, into the suicidal traffic of Kathmandu, and on every day of the trek with equal parts lush detail and sly humor. Experience Kathmandu’s Hindu and Buddhist temples, visit the infamous Yeti's Scalp of the Khumjung Monastery and join in on a hysterical salsa dance lesson at 14,000-feet. “Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp” is a gripping adventure story that also serves as a practical resource for future trekkers. It includes:A standard EBC trekking mapAn EBC itineraryDaily trekking statistics including elevation changes and hiking timesThe gear lists of Mark and his wife, HollyA Nepal trekking training guideThe foreword is provided by mountaineering legend and Everest blogger Alan Arnette, called "one of America’s most respected chroniclers of Everest," by Outside Magazine. “This book is a must-have for the bookshelf of yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's traveler,” says Arnette.The audiobook is read by Johnson and even includes sound effects from the trek itself.Johnson is a longtime freelancer and blog writer, best known for his Dave Barry-esque stories about parenting, rural living, and health and fitness.

At the peak of his writing career in 1906, after having written much of his most outstanding work, Jack London decided - very much encouraged by his wife Charmian London - to build the sturdy little 45-foot (13.7 meters) two-masted schooner The Snark and to embark with his small crew of 6, including himself and Charmian, on a trip around the world that was intended to last a full seven years. One of the best-known writers in the world by this time, he had made it known through newspaper interviews that he was looking for volunteers to join the crew, and this account of the very adventurous - and dangerous - voyage of the small yacht to Hawai and then throughout the south Pacific on an extensive visit of the myriad South Sea islands was written by a young 20-year-old who had successfully applied for the job as cook. Martin Johnson was also a keen photographer and his lively account of that fascinating expedition contained many extraordinary photos of a bygone world of remote aboriginal peoples that have practically disappeared from the face of the earth since.

Childhood and adolescence were a virtual rollercoaster ride for Mark Johnson. In his second book--Tales of a Rollercoaster Operator: Stories from My Missouri Youth--he navigates the highs and lows of coming of age in St. Louis, Missouri, in the 1960s and 1970s.Experience Mark's favorite growing-up twists and turns in this collection of twenty-six funny and poignant essays, including learning to drive a rollercoaster, discovering the joys of a first pet, embarking on a quest with his father to wrangle World Series tickets, and witnessing the wonder in a brand new year after a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger. This book of stories will inspire you to revisit your youth, dust-off your favorite memories, and find new meaning in the indelible moments that stay with you for a lifetime.

For centuries, the kingdom of Alexandria has protected Northern Shala from the monstrous creatures lurking in the Wastelands. Now, a dark force threatens that fragile peace.Far from home, Alexandria’s princess is abducted. When a young villager named Hellsfire stumbles upon her and her captors, he rushes in to rescue her, alone and unarmed. His fear and fury unleash an uncontrollable magical force that grants him the power to save the princess—and change the world.Hellsfire has never craved nor dreamed of power. But such magic as he now possesses has not been seen in Northern Shala for a thousand years, since the devastation of the War of the Wizards and the creation of the Wastelands.Now Hellsfire must leave all he’s ever known, and make a dangerous journey to learn to master this wild, ferocious power—power he knows he is not ready to wield. More difficult still, he needs to master his emotions. If he can’t, the power will consume him, Alexandria will fall, and darkness will eclipse the land, destroying everyone he loves.In the dead of cold, the spark shall burn...

To undo a mistake made a thousand years in the past, the wizard Hellsfire used his magic to bring down the Great Barrier that once divided the northern and southern lands. In doing so, he nearly brought war to his own homeland, and he afflicted the love of his life, Princess Krystal of Alexandria, with a potent and deadly curse.Since then, Hellsfire has been working in Tyree with its Elemental Council, to rebuild its war-torn land and find a way to break Krystal’s curse. Now Krystal’s time is running out. As the princess fights for her life, Hellsfire learns that the wizard responsible for the curse—his old enemy Premier—is heading to the Burning Sands to steal the mysterious Jewel of Dakara.If Hellsfire can capture Premier and learn the secret of the curse, he can save Krystal. But the Jewel of Dakara holds its own deadly secrets, and the hunt will take Hellsfire farther than he ever imagined, and cost him more than he bargained for.The past is never gone nor buried...

From Fertile Ground -- a memoir spanning three generations . . . In his memoir and writer's mosaic, debuting author Mark Johnson searches for answers after his mother dies. He leaves behind his corporate job in his mid-fifties and soon discovers a love for writing and nature across three generations of his family. In each chapter, he weaves together more than fifty years of diary accounts from his grandfather's North Carolina farm, his mother's encouraging and wisdom-filled letters from her complicated life, and his own narrative as a gay man coming to terms with his past and his grief.Mark leads you on a writer's journey to reawaken his artistic sensibilities, remember the important people and moments in his life, and rediscover his southern roots. From Fertile Ground examines our human desire to make sense of our heritage, find our own path, and leave our mark on the world.