It took nine months research, and nine months' writing to complete. I also hired a researcher and private editor. In October I'll be going to Bhutan to write a travel piece for National Geographic Adventure. I'll also be doing a number of features for New Scientist. I don't think I could tolerate the quasi-military training.
Nature has pitched - no, the verb is too active.
Well then, on some corner of Time's beach, or on the muddy rim of one of her more insignificant rivulets, there have been washed together casually and indifferently a number of features that Nature had tossed away as of no use to any of her creations. Some vital spark that might have gone to the animation of a sheep assumed the collection. It takes a while to get into this tale told, as it is, by a narrator who is himself something of an innocent abroad, but once firmly ensconced one find's one's attention absorbed by a presentation of sustained brilliance. I waded through this book like I was swimming through sand. If it didn't have the Steinbeck marque I'd have given up on it in three or four pages.