I just finished reading this and felt like buying myself a present as a reward. I really like Paul Auster's work but this is the exception. It was hard work but I was determined to finish it to find out how it ends. I liked the beginning of the book but after a few chapters it went downhill all the way. I found it to be self indulgent and I couldn't warm to any of the Ferguson characters. The only positive thing I can say as a non-American I gained an insight into the history of the era and want to read more about that time.