I first read this book about 16 years ago. It still remains the most influential piece of literature I've read. It completely changed how I look at the world, politics, history, and especial major world events. I've traveled the U.S. extensively, and in every state I've been in I've stopped at bookstores looking for this book. Curiously enough, not 1 bookstore carried it. 1 Barns & Noble employee in Texas was familiar with it & told me that the book had been placed on 'the banned list' at their company nationwide, & told me I'd have to order it from the publisher.