This was a very entertaining book. There were many ideas for the reader to think about, such as why people buy the things they buy, poverty, difficult choices when it comes to survival, and wanting something that is not needed.

While I don't think I'd feel guilty if I had done what Richard was forced to do in the epilogue, I can imagine how conflicting it would be for a doctor to feel the need to take a life out of necessity since doctors usually save lives rather than take them. I really felt what he felt during the story. The Buddhist ideas seemed to be presented well too.

I felt really bad for Richard when he gave money to the kid as he was leaving India and he ends up not being able to help all the poor children. It is hard knowing that there are poor people in the world who don't have access to things a more privileged individual would have. The fact that it is impossible to help every single person is depressing, but true.

I especially find it difficult to see how conflicts can be solved without the use of violence, since there is so much violence in the media these days. Humans in general have a tendency to be violent when the violence itself is unnecessary, and Brumbaugh clearly presents this concept as Richard and his friends try to stop a conspiracy. This was a thought-provoking read and I would recommend to someone who wants a book that will make them think.