A transformative journey written in gratitude to the author's mentors describes his midlife attempt to recapture the passions of his youth, an effort marked by encounters with famous contemporaries and a variety of colorful mishaps.

Peter Matthiessen, RIP -- Amy Hempel, good witch of Manhattan -- Gordon Lish, captain fiction -- Denis Johnson, a long time clean -- Doug Peacock, Hayduke still lives -- David Sedaris, trash collector extraordinaire -- John Berger, old man of the mountains -- Gary Snyder and the road to Kitkitdizze -- Russell Chatham, the painter, recently hospitalized, emerges from seven-figure debt and alcoholism, ready to paint -- Barry Lopez, carnivore for a night -- Tom McFuane, AKA captain berserko, burning down the house -- Lorrie Moore, fairy godmother : the road to the corn palace; or, The trail of ears -- The road home -- Joyce Carol Oates, Badass -- Terry Tempest Williams, red-rock solid -- Mississippi ghosts.