What is Gained From an Unlikely Pilgrimage

As summer comes to a close, travelers are shaking sand out of their selfie-sticks, packing up their beach reads, and plastering self-satisfied smiles at their Instagram vacations. The thought to describe their vacations as "pilgrimages" is not likely to occur. In fact, a pilgrimage might seem like something from another era.

But that is the subject of Al Regnery's latest book, "Unlikely Pilgrim." Regnery is a long-time Washington, D.C. denizen more likely to be associated with publishing houses and exclusive dinners with national and international leaders than contemplative travel. Over the course of spending half a century in politics, he has written well-regarded books about the history of conservatism and is associated with presidents and diplomats.