The Hundred-Year Walk

An Armenian Odyssey

By: Dawn Anahid MacKeen

Narrated by: Neil Shah, Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In the heart of the Ottoman Empire as World War I rages, Stepan Miskjian's world becomes undone. He is separated from his family as they are swept up in the government's mass deportation of Armenians into internment camps. Gradually realizing the unthinkable - that they are all being driven to their deaths - he fights, through starvation and thirst, not to lose hope. Just before killing squads slaughter his caravan during a forced desert march, Stepan manages to escape, making a perilous six-day trek to the Euphrates River. In his desperate bid for survival, Stepan dons disguises, outmaneuvers gendarmes, and, when he least expects it, encounters the miraculous kindness of strangers.

The Hundred-Year Walk alternates between Stepan's saga and another journey that takes place a century later, after his family discovers his long-lost journals. Reading this rare firsthand account, his granddaughter, Dawn MacKeen, finds herself first drawn into the colorful bazaars before the war and then into the horrors Stepan later endured. Inspired to retrace his steps, she sets out alone to Turkey and Syria, shadowing her resourceful, resilient grandfather across a landscape still rife with tension.

©2016 Dawn Anahid MacKeen (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This previously untold story of survival and personal fortitude is on par with Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken." ( Library Journal)

The remarkable resilience against all odds

This book shows the horrors of genocide and its impact on the survivors and future generations. Through the eyes of a single person, the author brings to life the cruelty of Turkish nation against its minority population and the resiliency of that minority population to survive and thrive. Armenian genocide was a shameful and criminal act perpetuated on humanity and the Armenian people. The perpetrators of Armenian Genocide tried to kill a nation but instead created a nation of survivors. This book is the story of one man but reflects the will of a nation to survive against all odds.

Truth, bravery and survival

It is frightening what humans are capable of doing to one another. This is an excruciatingly painful story that is also one of triumph and survival. An important story to tell and well done honor to the authors family.

Hard on my heart

For me, this was personal. All I know about my grandmother was that she was deported to the Syrian desert, but survived. I am grateful that I was able to listen to this wonderfully-told story, to understand a little more about what she must have gone through. Thank you.

Tough but rewarding book.

I was intrigued with this book. While the discription was about a tragic event. The story is one the triumph of humanity over prejudice.

Well told and informative

I wanted to learn more about the armenian genocide and this book was far more informative than the videos I watched. I walked along with the characters and laughed and cried with them.

Beautiful and Heartbreaking

I wanted to read about the Armenian Genocide (it was definitely a genocide), and came across this book. Through the retelling of her grandfather's diaries, and her own visit to the region, the author taught me a lot. I recommend this book to anyone seeking knowledge and connection.

Great book, fantastic story telling

Great book, a story worth hearing. The authorss passion in her own history is compelling.

WOW!

I listened to the 11 hour book in a couple of days while driving and doing chores. The narration was good, though the story was heartbreaking with dashes of humor throughout.

excellent book

great writing about one of the darkest chapters of humanity. these stories are hard to read but important to know and share.

Everything a memoir should be. You will enjoy it!

Lovely writing... descriptive, poetic and entertaining. I also love the intertwining narrative... sharing grandfather's and granddaughter's experiences from across the years. This is not an in-depth study of the Armenian genocide or of the Ottoman Empire. But I believe Ms. Mackeen's approach is the right one. She deftly tells the story of an ordinary man's journey through a horrific time, as he experienced it. He didn't have had access to the politics driving the massacre. He would have been bewildered by it, and much too busy surviving to worry about political doings. I definitely get that. I also appreciate Ms. Mackeen's decision not to weigh the narrative down with clinical details. She writes from her heart with the goal of sharing her family's history, not a fact-finding mission. The one criticism I have about this audiobook is the narration. The voice is too girlish. As a 35-year- old woman who is an accomplished (and brave) journalist, I don't believe Ms. Mackeen speaks with such adolescent stridency. This book needs a mature, melodious narrator. But it's still very good. The poetry and imagery of the writing more than make up for the lightweight voice. Please don't hesitate to buy "The 100-year Walk" for an intensely engaging story.