This book is the real-life story of our Writer-in-Residence Emeritus Paul Zolbrod, a Korean War Veteran, who like others serving in the Korean War, came down with a mysterious illness, which nearly killed him. While he was convalescing in the Tokyo Army Hospital, Paul became acquainted with some of the Turkish soldiers who were part of the UN troops. They, too, were very ill and were confined to the hospital for an extended time.

Over the weeks, Paul (who is Jewish), the Muslim Turks, and their fellow patients learned a great deal about each other's faiths, customs and countries.

In that special time in 1954, Muslims, Jews and Christians all celebrated a very special Christmas together-in Japan.