The writer Rick Antonson discusses his new book Walking with Ghosts in Papua New Guinea: Crossing the Kokoda Trail in the Last Wild Place on Earth (Skyhorse Publishing, 2019), with Joseph Planta.

Walking with Ghosts in Papua New Guinea: Crossing the Kokoda Trail in the Last Wild Place on Earth by Rick Antonson (Skyhorse Publishing, 2019). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Walking with Ghosts in Papua New Guinea

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Rick Antonson joins me again. He has just published a remarkable book Walking with Ghosts in Papua New Guinea: Crossing the Kokoda Trail in the Last Wild Place on Earth. It is an engrossing adventure that he writes about, one that he takes along a narrow 60-mile footpath through some rough jungle. It’s also a charming story in how it all comes about. He meets Monk, in Australia, where Rick has recently moved to as his wife has taken up work there. Monk suggests Rick join him, and soon, they’re off onto the Kokoda Tail, where some of the fiercest fighting during the Second World War took place. The Australians, Japanese and Americans fought there, and along this sometimes punishing journey, Rick describes what he sees and what he feels about war, sacrifice and remembrance. It’s often very powerful in this book where Rick talks about walking the path of history. It’s also treacherous; it’s not an easy walk with elevation changes and the terrain. I’ll get Rick to reflect on what draws people to Papua New Guinea, and what attracts the fascination of most of us, who’d never think to go there. It’s steeped in mystery and danger, not to mention myth and outright distortion. Rick Antonson is the author of books Full Moon Over Noah’s Ark, Route 66 Still Kicks, and To Timbuktu for a Haircut, which he’s all joined me for. He’s also co-written books with Brian Antonson, Whistle Posts West, and Slumach’s Gold, books I’ve had conversations with Rick about too, over the years. He first appeared on the program in 2008 with To Timbuktu for a Haircut, when he was still president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver. He has also been past chair of Destination International, and deputy chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. This new book is published by Skyhorse. The Twitter handle is @InkroadsRick. He joined me from Vernon, British Columbia last week. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Rick Antonson; Mr. Antonson, good morning.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (28.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS