Book description
William O'Rourke's singular view of American life over the past 40
years shines forth in these short essays on subjects personal,
political, and literary, which reveal a man of keen intellect and
wide-ranging interests. They embrace everything from the state of the
nation after 9/11 to the author's encounter with rap, from the
masterminds of political makeovers to the rich variety of contemporary
American writing. His reviews illuminate both the books themselves and
the times in which we live, and his personal reflections engage even
the most fearful events with a special humor and gentle pathos.
Readers will find this richly rewarding volume difficult to put down.
"[T]hose who enjoy a good romp through some of our country's
most pivotal times in the company of an astute observer who is
unafraid to offer a penetrating, and sometimes scathing, critique of
the state of the nation will find themselves well matched."
-ForeWord Reviews
William O'Rourke, a former columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, is
author of The Meekness of Isaac, Idle Hands, Criminal Tendencies, and
Notts, and five works of nonfiction. He is editor of On the Job:
Fiction about Work by Contemporary American Writers and (with John
Matthias) of the collection Notre Dame Review: The First Ten Years.
