From one of America's great literary figures, a new collection of essays on eminent writers and their work, and on the war between art and life. The perilous intersection of writers' lives with public and private dooms is the fertile subject of many of these remarkable essays from such literary giants as T.S. Eliot, Isaac Babel, Salman Rushdieand Henry James. "A genuine literary education.... Each of these pieces is informed, gracefully written and propelled with narrative energy."—San Francisco Chronicle "A glittering new collection.... Each essay shimmers with intelligence."—The New York Times