In this book, Carlos LCastaneda first introduces to the reader the elusive, magical, powerful, haunting and perplexing person of Don Juan, the Yaqui brujo, or sorcerer, whose appprentice Castaneda becomes. Their relationship - in which a reluctant and demanding Don Juan instructs Castaneda in the disciplines of becoming "a man of knowledge" by means of a series of mystical experiences and deceptively simple parables - has been described as "one of the most fortunate literary encounters since Boswell was introduced by Dr. Johnson."