The celebrated author of THE NEW YORK TRILOGY, MOON PALACE, and THE BOOK OF ILLUSIONS presents here a highly personal collection of essays, prefaces and occasional pieces written for magazines and newspapers. Ranging in subject from Walter Raleigh to Kafka; Hawthorne to the high-wire artist Philippe Petit; conceptual artist Sophie Calle to Auster's own typewriter; The World Trade Center catastrophe to his beloved New York City itself, Auster displays all his customary flair, wit and insight.