This book is not a travel guide to countries to visit, inns to stay at or bistros to dine in - thousands of books and articles do that. Rather it presents a wide variety of real stories based on interesting social, cultural and personal encounters the author experienced in his visits to 78 countries as a tourist, professor or consultant. Stories range from educational to humorous to political to earthy to feats of derring-do. From Cuba to Berlin, the Middle East to Europe, and Zambia to Alaska, the author shares with readers his passion for travel, discovery, humor and adventure. "Travels and Tribulations: A Memoir" is a book through which seasoned travelers can identify and non-travelers can live vicariously.