Summary

The author, Jedidiah Jenkins, begins his book with a brief prologue. In this prologue, he discusses how everything in the world is new and novel to children, as they have no prior knowledge of the world. Thus, time seems very slow to children and suffused with meaning. To Jenkins, traveling is the best way for adults to regain this sense of novelty and exploration. Jenkins writes that, by the time he had reached his late 20s, he felt stagnant and bored. He had gone to law school and acquired a corporate job, after which he moved to working for nonprofits. This work was more fulfilling, but he eventually felt restless and also unsure of his own sense of self. He was raised by two devoutly Christian parents, and Jenkins was religious as well, but he began to feel a sense of religious doubt...