This biography presents an in-depth portrait of Patrick Leigh Fermor, an intrepid traveler who, at just eighteen, embarked on a remarkable journey across Europe. Trekking through nine countries and mastering multiple languages, his zest for adventure and diverse experiences marked the beginning of an enviable life. As World War II unfolded, Fermor's exploits continued with the Cretan resistance and the famed abduction of General Heinrich Kreipe. Chronicling his various escapades, from Caribbean travel to Greek explorations, Artemis Cooper draws on extensive interviews, personal interactions, and exclusive archive access to reveal the man behind the myth — a scholar and friend whose prewar Europe reflections have gone unsurpassed.