JAGUAR ON THE MOUNTAIN
The story of Gertrude Duby Blom and the Lacandona Maya
Author Profile:
Back in 1975, Wendie Elovich was a graduate student of anthropology and determined to establish a paid fellowship in her field. Opportunities had dried up,hence, she followed advice to establish herself on a dig in Chiapas, Mexico. Timing was poor due to a heavy rainy season, however, Elovich was offered an introduction to the famous photographer/ resistance fighter, Gertrude Duby Blom, a dual heroine for her spy craft during World War II, and after her escape, as the protector and champion of the Lacandon Mayans for decades. The expeditions were exciting
and the work highly satisfying. Yet, she returns to lead the life of a maverick trial attorney on American soil.
Three decades later, she came away with numerous tales…see below description of lawyer’s mysteries and corruption; plus four strong plays. All my writing focuses on our very real issues, including the blogs....always centered on a polite conversation with the reader...
This author never forgot her first love, story telling and
her lasting experiences in the highlands jungle at the southernmost tip of Mexico and Guatemala. This is her third book soon to be published by Koehler Books Inc., on or about June 2, 2026. It is not meant to serve as a bland ethnography describing the last surviving Mayan group nor part indigenous peoples (mixed through generations with the Spanish and others) nor a complete biography of the Jaguar herself, Trudi. Rather, this story hits our pressing problems hinging on the survival of civilization--globally. All the Chiapas settlements and jungle villages were comprised of a caring people offering support to one another during good crops and bad. Strong proofs of positive socialization existed. They survive but for being displaced, forced off their land, tricked, enslaved--colonized, in cumulative effect to work for others until there is no more work as the soil has become barren for multiple reasons.
In the last chapters, we are left to ponder the overall destruction to their culture repeatedly by different sources.
Stimulate your thinking, whether this is fiction, non-fiction or accurate prediction. Civilizations prosper and disappear. We are fascinated with pre-history but rarely find the answers. Elovich is a storyteller. Watch for more details.
About:
Born and lived in New York area, educated New York University, Uptown; Hunter/Grad Center-unfinished, then Cardozo Law School.
Residences-
New York City, Sea Bright, New Jersey, Dorset, Vermont and currently Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Recreation- Dogs/Horses, Skiing, Tennis, Pickleball—most sports, reading and book clubs, passionate about the arts…galleries and museums, travel.
Docent- Both Jepson Museum and Telfair Academy, Savannah, Georgia—art tours.
Served as a life coach briefly per past work with clients but love for writing took over. Continue to blog, safe real information, news and events—follow my progress with a fine publisher, KoehlerBooks.
Spouse/Best Companion Timothy Dale Slaight- 3 daughters and a granddaughter, all chosen.
Life credo- "All of us must remain relevant and do our part to contribute daily." No slouching or avoidance--never stop working.....
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