One of the things I used to enjoy the most was to browse in good book stores and buy a stock of books to read and add to my library. I cannot think of a more peaceful, pleasurable, and satisfying occupation.
Once, employed in this pursuit, I found waiting for me over the years, among the usual multitude of treasures, the Oxford University Press edition of Alexander Herzen’s memoirs, My Past and Thoughts. Friends whom I greatly respect had told me about Herzen’s classic quality, but until then I had not read anything by him. I soon found that his memoirs are among the greatest and most stimulating books I ever read.
