Moving account of pilgrimages over a few years to Mt. Athos, the monastic home of Orthodox Christianity and the authors spiritual crises and development. He's very open and honest about his struggles, his marriage and family problems too. Also, he does not gloss over the ugly side of the stupid nationalism, anti-semitism, and fundamentalism of some of the monks on Athos. These don't detract though from the real wisdom and holiness of many of them and journey itself.