This book is difficult to classify but easy and often delightful to read. Between reflections on life and death and the natural history of beagles, Cy Sulzberger, who now lives in Paris and Greece, goes fishing with Djilas in Yugoslavia, sips wines with the Rothschilds at Château Lafite, discusses the world situation with ambassadors, admirals, and government figures including Richard Nixon, and explores ancient and obscure monasteries, forts and towns along the Adriatic coast. He is almost always accompanied by his beagle, Christopher.