Few individuals have led as interesting and adventurous a life as David Burrell. He has studied and taught in the United States, Europe, South Asia, and Africa, pursued an intellectual and spiritual path that has brought him in contact with important thinkers and leaders in various religious traditions, and spearheaded pioneering efforts in interreligious dialogue. It is therefore no surprise that his autobiography takes the reader on a fascinating journey of encounter with interesting people and places. The narrative is arranged geographically rather than strictly chronologically, focusing on the places that have shaped Burrell's life and thought, from his place of origin in Ohio to Notre Dame, Rome, Bangladesh, the Holy Land, Cairo, Crete, Uganda, and Kenya. Though these locations provide the structure, the main story of the book centers on people, from his family to his teachers, from students to colleagues, mentors, spiritual directors, and friends. Friendship indeed plays an important role in Burrell's life and work. This is evident in the detail with which he recounts the lives of people who have accompanied him on parts of his journey, and in the emphasis he places on the importance of friendship in interreligious dialogue. His life indeed exemplifies the idea that “interfaith relations proceed one friend at a time” (84).

Related to the theme of friendship and commitment is that of love and passion for whatever he has been engaged in, from chairing the department of theology at Notre Dame to directing the Tantur Institute in Bethlehem, and from immersing himself in the study of Islam at a relatively late point in his career to teaching philosophy at Uganda Martyrs University. One of the striking elements of Burrell's story is his willingness and ability to follow the Spirit wherever it led him and to embrace each new change and challenge that came his way. This openness and energy have allowed him to become one of the leaders in Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue and to contribute in important ways to the discipline of comparative theology.

Questing for Understanding is a remarkably open and honest account of the experiences, encounters, blessings, and struggles that have shaped Burrell's unique journey. It also offers in passing bits of interesting information and a running commentary on neuralgic issues in the relationship between the Abrahamic religions. The book represents an inspiring testimony to a life of service to God and fearless pursuit of truth.