Introduction

Abstract

All but three of the people discussed in this book are still alive. You could pick up a phone and telephone each of them. Most have e-mail. Most have read the articles about themselves and commented on them. All of them know that this book is being published. Baba Rexheb, one of the three who are no longer with us, is buried near Detroit. If you take Telegraph Road south from I-94, turn left at Northline Road, and go a few blocks, you will see the copper roof over his tomb on the right. The old baba who is the custodian of the mausoleum will let you in so that you can say a prayer and light a candle. These are all real people, who live in real places, and who eat, sleep, and go about the ordinary business of life.