Apparently, nobody arrives on this planet with a round-trip ticket — or perhaps we all have one without knowing it?  Yes, “End Times” could snuff life here in a grand ka-boom steming from various factors, perhaps in concert. (“Death” is a fellow traveler on this author’s train, and becomes an amusing companion.)  The book takes us on many train rides in pursuit of haunts of various philosophers, wryly questioning whether we’ve lived well, and learned anything while in life’s classroom.  All aboard!

Pay attention, and you might find yourself enjoying the ride a bit more.  I suggest taking the free Kindle sample for a spin. (If you don’t have a Kindle reader, you can download a free Kindle app for your laptop.)  The author, Eric Weiner, is a former NPR correspondent, and world traveler. His author page includes another fun title, MAN SEEKS GOD.