Paul Moorcraft has covered most of the wars of the last 20 years as a war correspondent. This book shows the other - lighter - side of many of the major conflicts of our time, from Afghanistan through to the Balkans. It mixes the author's analysis, front-line experience, tragedy and humour. The humour and the dangers are underplayed as the writer is constantly distracted by bizarre characters, strange places, odd traditions, odder food and his habit of being sucked into eccentric debate with the locals. The book comprises of travel, adventure and danger with the observations of a professional journalist.