I think the "crime novel" has replaced the sociological novel of the 1930s. I think the progenitor of that tradition is James M. Cain, who in my view is the most neglected writer in American literature.

I could only wonder again at the white race's naïveté in always sending forth our worst members as our emissaries.

God bless the Reference Librarians

The real gladiators of the world are so humble in their origins and unremarkable in appearance that when we stand next to them in a grocery-store line, we never guess how brightly their souls can burn in the dark.

I wouldn't write anything autobiographical. If you've lived a life like Laurence of Arabia, it might be a consideration, but otherwise it's a little bit vain, it seems to me.

If we break promises to God, shouldn't we be allowed an occasional violation of our word to our friends and superiors?

You have two choices in life. You either die or do something with your time. You're going to be doing something - why not write?