James Wood

A biography of the Scotsman who was sportsman, sailor, soldier, physician and historian as well as creator of the modern detective story and the best known detective.

The third volume of the Library of America's edition of Saul Bellow's complete novels collects three essential works: Mr. Sammler's Planet (1970), Humboldt's Gift (1975) -- and The Dean's December (1982). In each, Bellow shows himself a master of biting social commentary and bold characterization--above all through a trio of unforgettable protagonists. These novels, written in the period of Bellow's greatest literary and popular acclaim--he was awarded...

"It took hundreds of millions of years for petroleum to form on Earth. It took just 150 years for human beings to bleed the planet of roughly half of this oil. ... Examines the catastrophic prospect of 'world peak oil', or the point in time when the quantity of petroleum extracted from the earth begins to irreversibly decline."--Container.

Older, but not necessarily wiser, the gang is reunited when Adam returns to Manchester from working abroad to make an announcement, but not everyone is as thrilled as he is. Follow the highs and lows of these much loved characters as they fail and thrive in equal parts in their search for a sure path in life.