Thurtell shares the true story of how a Muslim youth in Togo, West Africa, taught his two American Peace Corps volunteer friends the true meaning of Christmas by leading them through what they thought was a barren wasteland, then showing them a field that opened their minds to what it means to find a Christmas tree in the sub-Sahara.

Thurtell shows how to get professional writing experience without paying for an expensive college journalism degree. He has written for "The New York Times, The Progressive, Planning Magazine, National Fisherman, The Detroit News, Indianapolis Star, Grand Rapids Press, South Bend Tribune" and for 23 years, was a staff writer with the "Detroit Free Press," but never took a journalism class.

Award-winning newspaper reporter Thurtell pens a hilarious, biting satire about the news industry. The "Detroit Filibuster," a fictional daily fumbles coverage of the Greatest Story--the modern-day crucifixion of Jesus. Religion writer Daley Strumm encounters "Filibuster"-created obstacles as he tries to report the story.