This volume of effervescence gives off more sparks than a campfire from "Roughing It". It also provides terrific context for a group of essays by Shelly Fisher Fishkin "Lighting Out for the Territories". For real fun read David Carkeet's modern recreation of Twain "I Been Here Before", a book Twain would have somehow wished to be included in his canon. Don't be surprised if someday Carkeet's book is included as a companion volume to the Oxford Mark Twain.

The principle is this : The entire book is written in the form of letters, log-book entries, and inter-office memos. The story is of the eponymous Hipploytus Brandenberg and his Insurrection (or his 'plans' as he calls them). Brandenberg works at an insurance company where he not only fails to do any work, but claims he is being harrassed by his seniors for being Jewish. He puruses this false claim with alacrity. Meanwhile, he is in communication - seemingly innocently - with a whole host of interesting and shady figures (Communists, Terrorists, Agents of Foriegn Powers) et al. - this incurs the attention of the CIA. And all the while he is continuing with his 'plan' - to have a hunger-strike march with thousands of the starving parading in New York. Not a bad book.

This is absolutely the most influential book in my life. Superbly written! You find yourself sympathizing with poor Hippy (at least, I did!). And those suspicions you had that the CIA was following you? This book confirms it as true. This book ws supposed to be made into a movie, but I don't think it ever was. This is truly an awe-inspiring book. Read it! Read it! Read it!