Be careful what you give children, for sooner or later you are sure to get it back.

There's always a part of your nation's history that you haven't been told that... has a powerful impact on how you yourself may behave and may believe.

You know what the issue is? Do you want to know? It's what these guys have decided to call America. They have the audacity to say, 'There, you sons of bitches, don't lay a finger on it. That is a finished product.'" "But any country is still in the making. Always. That's just history, people have to see that.

I attempted briefly to consecrate myself in the public library, believing every crack in my soul could be chinked with a book.

People ask without wanting to know.

There's always more to a story than a body can see from the fenceline.

I believe with all my heart in delivering on my contract with my readers. They've got plenty of other things to do, so I had better give them a reason to turn every one of these 550 pages. This is my promise: I solemnly swear I'll make you laugh out loud at least once, cry a little in private, and burn whatever you left on the stove.