Ferdynand Ossendowski (1876-1945) was a Polish writer, journalist, traveler, explorer and university professor. After a journey of several thousand miles, he crossed Chinese-controlled Mongolia, and was stopped there by the take-over of the country led by mysterious Baron Roman Ungern von Sternberg, a mystic who was fascinated by the beliefs and religions of the Far East. Ossendowski joined the baron's army as a commanding officer of one of the self-defense troops. Later he moved to the U.S., where he published Beasts, Men and Gods.