Derek Lewis was born in Southend-on-Sea in 1947. He was educated at Westcliff High School for Boys, the College of Estate Management in London and later at the Diaspora College of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. The book begins with anecdotes from his life growing up in Southend, working in real estate in London and volunteering to go to Israel at the outbreak of the Six Day War. The volume goes on to describe his marriage to his late wife Maple Karen, and their joint search for peace and spirituality through their Jewish heritage. He lives in London, still works in real estate and travels as often as he can to the Holy land to spend time with eight of his twelve grandchildren.