This frank autobiography covers the first twenty-two years of the life of Raphael Patai, famous anthropologist and biblical scholar. Patai shares meticulously researched genealogical narratives and historical and sociological observations, mixed freely-and with engaging frankness-with portions of an intensely personal and intimate nature. He paints a critical yet affectionate picture of Hungarian Jewry in the years preceding 1933-a world that is no more.