Think of this as a primer for the brown questions in Trivial Pursuit, both in the nature of its short, pithy paragraphs and subject matter. I kept this book by my bedside as something I could read and put down at any time without having to worry about dropping the thread of the narrative. Hendrickson has brought together in one book all the myriad anecdotes, witticisms, and lists about books and authors, as well as a new chapter in this revised edition “Of Editors and Agents.” This book won’t change your life, but if you love writers and writing, it makes for many evenings’ pleasant divertimento.

[Finished 21 January 1998]