This is a real fun book. Bill Cox is a radiologist who lives up in Alaska, and is one of the last great adventurers. He has been to Mongolia, Japan, the Great Gobi desert, Siberia. He has climbed Mt Fuji, eaten fried cobra, befriended Indian street beggars, drunk vodka with the Russian Mafia. He's palled around with presidents, mayors, priests, Buddhist llamas, the KGB, Orthodox monks. He got along with the North Koreans in their embassy, and barely escaped with his life from the Iranian embassy in Bangkok. He's met with the Dalai Lama, he debunks Mother Theresa and Carlos Castaneda. Great stories about Indian street scams and hilarious horrendous stories about toilets in India and Russia. He's explored every inch of Alaska, a far more dangerous place than people think. Bill's met some people who he felt embodied true holiness - a priest who works with the poor, a Catholic pilgrim, a maveric Orthodox monk.This is a man with no fear, no prejudice. But unending curiosity, generosity and spirit of adventure. They don't make 'em like this any more. You won't be able to put the book down.