The Spirit of Villarosa: A Father’s Extraordinary Adventures; A Son’s Challenge

Second Edition, containing updates and corrections.

When Marc Ashton was kidnapped at gunpoint in Haiti, he made two promises: to escape his kidnappers and to tell his father’s amazing life story.

His father, Horace Dade Ashton, an early member of the renowned Explorers’ Club–later dubbed The original Indiana Jones –showed his passion for adventure and learning by visiting many perilous, captivating corners of the world at a time when travel wasn’t easy. Ashton shared his journeys through his countless lectures, films, prize-winning photographs, and writings.

Marc was born in Washington, D.C. and arrived in Haiti as an infant, when Horace became Cultural Attache to the U.S. Embassy. Marc remained there most of his life, marrying, starting a family, founding businesses, and treating all he knew with respect. Life changed when he and his wife decided to sell Villarosa, and the government made an offer.

Days later Marc’s ordinary life became a struggle for survival in which his father’s advice and beliefs made him triumphant.