In eleven brilliant essays Charles Baxter displays his characteristic wit and intelligence as he muses about the influences of culture and politics on the art of storytelling. As much a rumination on the state of literature as a technical manual for aspiring writers, Burning Down the House has been enjoyed by readers and taught in classrooms for over a decade. Readers are rewarded with thoughtful analysis, humorous one-liners, and plenty of brush fires that continue burning long after the book is closed.