William T. Vollmann February 7, 2008

William T. Vollmann has investigated humanity's obsession with violence (Rising Up and Rising Down), taken a personal look into the hearts and minds of the poor (Poor People), and now turns his attentions to America, to our romanticizing of "freedom" and the ways in which we restrict the very liberties we profess to admire. Riding Toward Everywhere (hardback, $26.95) is the new book from the National Book Award winning author of Europe Central.

William T. Vollmann is the author of seven novels; three collections of stories; a seven-volume critique of violence, Rising Up and Rising Down (finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award); and Poor People, an examination of poverty. His most recent novel, Europe Central, won the National Book Award in 2005. He has also won the PEN Center USA West Award for Fiction, a Shiva Naipaul Memorial Prize, and a Whiting Writers' Award. No other writer has appeared more often at The Booksmith as has this acclaimed California author.

Official Website: http://www.booksmith.com/