Over the past twenty-five years, Don DeLillo has established himself as one of the most important contemporary American novelists. Prolific and wide-ranging, he has published ten major novels that rework a variety of narrative genres, creating something new out of what had in many cases become stale and hackneyed forms. Yet regardless of the subject matter or genre, DeLillo's central theme is always America. His novels relentlessly probe the postmodern American consciousness in all its neurotic permutations, offering a compelling and disturbing portrait of the contemporary American experience.

Although not as reclusive as J. D. Salinger or Thomas Pynchon, DeLillo nevertheless rigorously maintains his privacy, commenting little on his life or work. He has given few interviews over the years and has avoided participating in the full-fledged book promotions common in the publishing industry, eschewing book signings, talk shows, and lectures. Part of the reason for his silence...