Traveller: Observations from an American in Exile

by Michael Katakis, Michael Palin

Traveller is a collection of letters and journal entries that bring the immediacy of experience together with perceptive reflections of the author's own past. The entries in this volume are not travel guides. They are more personal, like letters from the most desirable sort of friend. The friend carries you with him as he meanders through the medina in Fez or into the hills of Gallipoli. His voice is such that you can almost smell the herbs and dusty soil of Crete, an always you are introduced to the people he meets along the way.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir

143 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2009

About the author

Katakis was born in Chicago in 1952. His father emigrated from Greece to the United States shortly after World War II. His mother was the daughter of Greek immigrants.
Writer and photographer Michael Katakis has been writing about and photographing a wide range of cultures and geographic locations for the past thirty five years. He has traveled extensively throughout the People’s Republic of China, West Africa, Cuba, Hungary, Morocco, Turkey, the United States, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Italy, Greece, England, France and Spain to name a few.

Michael’s books include Photographs and Words’ with Kris Hardin (British Library 2011).

His other books include; Traveller: Observations From an American in Exile (Scribner, New York 2009), The Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Crown, New York 1988) which is a two year study of the emotional impact the memorial has had on its visitors. Sacred Trusts: Essays on Stewardship and Responsibility (Mercury House, San Francisco 1993). Excavating Voices: Listening to Photographs of Native Americans (University Museum Publications, University of Pennsylvania 1998) and the limited edition book, Despatches ( Foolscap Press, Santa Cruz, California 2008) which a number of institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and Stanford University have acquired for their special collections.

In 2011 Michael Katakis’s exhibition opened at the British Library’s Folio Gallery to coincide with the publication of his, and Dr. Kris Hardin’s book, Photographs and Words (British Library Publications, 2011).

Michael Katakis and Dr. Hardin were presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth by Baroness Blackstone, Chairman of the British Library, on 10 November 2011.

In 2012 Katakis was invited, by Michael Palin, President of the Royal Geographical Society, to speak to the Society.

Michael Katakis was appointed Ambassador for the British Library and elected Director of Americans for the British Library in 2012.

In 1999 he was elected ‘Fellow’ of the Royal Geographical Society and in 2001 his, and Kris Hardin’s exhibition, A Time and Place Before War, opened at the Geographical Society in London.

Amnesty International chose Michael’s work from Sierra Leone for the cover of their international calendar (1990) and for the book, Thoughts on Human Dignity and Freedom, with a foreword by Arthur Miller (Universe Books, 1991).

Reviews

[Emma Sea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, dear god, 144 pages of the white male gaze.

[zazie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful simple traveller's notes.

[Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Guh. I tried, but...

First of all, I really wish Katakis hadn't narrated this himself. It's not exactly that he's terrible at it--I mean, he doesn't stutter or mispronounce words. But he does read everything very, very slowly and deliberately, which I found pretty irritating.

Also, the first story made me angry, and then the next several stories seemed...overly poetic, somehow, but like he's trying to say something really deep and meaningful, and isn't quite managing it. After the fourth or fifth story, I found myself saying out loud, "ugh, this is stupid!!!" I was already so frustrated with it less than 10% of the way through that I figured it wasn't going to get any better from there.

It may be that I wouldn't have been so bothered by this if it had a different narrator or if I'd read the print version, but as is? I just can't stomach it.

[Michael Andersen-Andrade · Rating 1 out of 5]

These "observations" are pure unadulterated narcissism run amok. Someone pass me the Pepto-Bismal.

[Pat Rolston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to the book by the connection to the Hemingway family and travel books are a long-standing interest of mine. Katakis has published his travel journal with a few references to Patrick Hemingway, grandson of Ernest. I enjoyed the rich tapestry Katakis creates when elaborating on a destination, but found the very brief journal entry format leaving me wanting more details. This is a compliment to the author’s skills and there he is a man with strong convictions. His reflections regarding the Bush administration and American foreign policy leave no room for doubt as to his disgust with all aspects. I consider this an introduction to Katakis and will give another book of his a try.

[Scott Buchanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book is beautifully written and the author is obviously talented. However, his frequent nihilism and negativity lapsing into anti-Americanism interrupted my enjoyment of his discussion of his adventures and exploration of other cultures.
I’m not a Pollyanna about my country’s mistakes and flaws, but to lay all of humanity’s ills at its feet is extreme. America undoubtedly contributes to many of the world’s problems, but only a spoiled white American would have the wealth and privilege to ascribe all of the blame to one nation while neglecting all the good that America has done. I had high hopes for this book but was deeply disappointed.

[Robert C. Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

From his personal correspondence and daily journal entries, Michael has compiled a collection of knowledgeable insights and musings by a much travelled observer.

[NeDa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Не ми хареса липсата на някаква времева хронология или поне подреденост по места/континенти. Прескачането от Истанбул(2005) на Сиера Леоне(1988) и после Париж(2004) поне на мен ми пречеше да се пренастройвам за различните места.
Иначе - хубави есета, писма, откъси от дневник и много смело споделени позиции за Америка, американците, политика, войни, битки и световни теми.
Освен това странно позициониране на някои от фотографиите - четеш за село на остров Крит и отстрани - снимка на африкански деца, страхотна наистина. А историята за децата - на гърба на снимката, която си гледал, четейки за Гърция ...

[Airlia Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed it. The book is a compilation of journal entries and letters so it is easily digestible. I was surprised, but not disappointed, with how many of his entries are political discussions because while he has a pretty liberal view - even heading into exile in Paris after the 2004 election - his discussions are thoughtful and honest. He does the narration.

[Chris Perley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved about this book was Katakis' ability to see beauty everywhere - in a street scene, a meeting of random strangers and friends, village children. He demonstrates a deep love of humanity throughout. He is also sad and expressive where he observes abuses of power. Beautiful paper. Beautiful photographs. Beautiful writing.

[Adelheid Stelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this little book. It has succinct observations of life in various parts of the world and made me think about the never ending question of identity and belonging. It inspires me to walk with my eyes more open to see what I may find.

[sOL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written insights from a deep and observant mind, that will linger in your thoughts days after you've read it.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The sentiment is there. Wonderful, touching, read.