Dom Felice Vaggioli (1845-1921) was a Benedictine monk from Tuscany. Between 1879 and 1887, he was a missionary in New Zealand, holding posts in Gisborne, Auckland and Coromandel. John Crockett has a theology degree from Rome, a BA in history and Italian and an MA in applied sociology. He has worked as a social worker and counsellor in Auckland. His translation of Vaggioli's autobiography A Deserter's Adventures was published by Otago University Press in 2001. John lives in Kerikeri with his wife, Jennifer. His most recent novel, Called, is loosely based on Vaggioli's adventures in New Zealand and his return to Italy as Abbot of San Giorgio monastery in Venice.