From old New England to the rainforests of Brazil, Don Best has worked as an award-winning journalist, expat novelist and Christian missionary.

Don has published hundreds of newspaper and magazine stories, including feature articles in Popular Science, Homeowner, This Old House, Sierra, Los Angeles Times, Brazil Herald, and Woman’s Day. He is the author of several nonfiction books, including a companion book to the popular PBS television show This Old House.

Don’s long and passionate relationship with Latin America, especially Brazil, dates back to 1973 when he joined the Peace Corps. Living in Puerto Rico, Paraguay, and Brazil, and visiting most of the other countries in Central and South America, he learned to speak Spanish and Portuguese (and a wee bit of Guarani), and to love the people he writes about.

In 2009 he published Moonlight on the Amazon, a compendium of true stories, essays, humor and beautiful full-color photography inspired by his many years living and working in the Brazilian Amazon.

In 2020 he completed a two-part novel, also set in the Amazon, titled The Gravedigger’s Dream and The Third Promise, both from Brimstone Fiction.

Don and his wife, Betty, live near Charleston, South Carolina. They have two fine sons, Paul and Jonathan, who now have families of their own.

Don and Betty first met in Rio de Janeiro, working as a journalist-photographer team, and ended up traveling the world together. After all these years, they still get the itch to pack up their bags, grab their hammocks and wander away.