Morocco: A Remembrance of Childhood is a nostalgic journey through your early years living in Morocco as the son of a U.S. Navy pilot and the impact the culture had on your outlook on life and beliefs. Why was this an important book for you to write?

For reasons I couldn’t initially explain, I have retained many vivid memories of my formative years, ages 5-7, in Morocco. Although I’d never considered writing a memoir, the more I thought about those years, the more I became convinced that my adult perspectives on life had been determined largely by my experiences in Morocco. From that point forward, writing the book became somewhat of a compulsion, albeit one that took over three years to complete given the research involved as well as a one-year hiatus resulting from the sudden and unexpected death of my wife of 46 years.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

On a personal level, I wanted to capture the wonders and joys that we all experience during the process of maturing, as well as the ecstasy and agony of growing up as a military brat. The former resulting from the opportunity to experience many different people and places and the latter resulting from constant need to move on and leave all such people and places behind. With regard to Morocco, I wanted to capture its colorful, fascinating and incredibly long history, as well as the unique religion and culture of its Berber and Arab populations, all of which have combined to produce what is arguably the most open, friendly and egalitarian population of humans on the planet. Finally, given my time in Morocco, during the mid 1950’s, I wanted to track the way in which the country’s Arab/urban population and it’s Berber/rural population became united in their efforts to rid the country of French colonists who had taken over their country as a result of the Treaty of Fez, executed in 1912–an effort that in numerous ways paralleled the struggle of Black Americans to attain their civil rights during the 1950’s.

What is something that you think will surprise readers the most in your book?

Unless you’re well-versed in medieval history, most readers will probably be surprised to learn that for a time Morocco was one of the richest and most powerful nations on earth, financed by camel caravans, transporting a river of wealth from sub-Saharan Africa, and pirates, plundering both European ships and coastal towns. Riding on the crest of such wealth, Berber horsemen captured much of northern Africa, all of modern-day Spain and even a small part of modern-day France. However, with the advent of modern shipping in the 1500’s, the river of wealth from the caravans gradually dried up and Morocco’s focus turned inward.

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?

The Moroccan ethos, which is centered on family and community, provides humanity with a far better path forward than one focused on individual power, prestige and wealth.

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