In 2009 the author spent a period of nearly two months in the small Salvadoran community of Colima delivering earthquake-resistant housing to poor families by making use of a $25,000 J.P. Morgan prize money he had won earlier that year, with a further $65,000 afterwards.



El Salvador has traditionally been known as a troubled Central American country largely avoided by tourists compared to neighbouring states. In this unique travel account the author revisits his journeys to the country's most spectacular sites and reflects back on its dark recent past as he retells war stories from villagers and townspeople alike and visits the most infamous massacre site in contemporary Latin American history.



Mestizo Land provides a vivid account of the author's travels which include visits to former guerrilla camps, active volcanoes, Mayan pyramids and illustrious waterfalls.