Johnny Depp has a tattoo of a quote from this book which reads "Silence, exile, cunning" - an abbreviation of original quote - I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defense the only arms I allow myself to use -- silence, exile, and cunning.

"I want to be Ruler of the Exumas,” Depp confesses, with a grin. “I like the sound of it. I want to become Kurtz and live like in Lord of the Flies."

The second, simply epochal. Life-defining genius.

Two of my personal favorites, both authored, of course, by a dear friend. The first, a deft, feral bastard of a novel.

Possibly the most divine writings in the history of the word. Throughout my life, more trustworthy pocket companions I could not imagine.

This dark, absurd, and subversive treasure lay hidden for many years, even after Bulgakov’s death, such was the fear of reprisal for such a pointed, authentic stab at life under the tyrannical malevolence of Uncle Joe and the withering Soviet climate of the time.

There is nothing I can really say here that hasn’t been said before, or even add to that hasn’t been added. Safe to say, these books are as important to me as they have been to many. Two pivotal, historical works that will never rest happily at home upon a dusty shelf.

There is nothing I can really say here that hasn’t been said before, or even add to that hasn’t been added. Safe to say, these books are as important to me as they have been to many. Two pivotal, historical works that will never rest happily at home upon a dusty shelf.

A shockingly good yarn, as only Tom Robbins can spin. Only a few writers have made me laugh out loud — Robbins does it with ease.

The adventures of one incorrigible Sebastian Dangerfield. Unruly, willful, and wholly devious. This lyrical, comic wonder was introduced to me by Hunter. Every man should read this, and spend at least one evening in his life impersonating this unapologetic horror of an individual!

A fascinating, immensely readable book regarding Teddy Roosevelt’s intense love for nature and how, during his presidency, he essentially became one of the very first eco-warriors.

A modern masterpiece. Utterly superior to almost everything published within the last 50 years. I won’t bother trying to describe it. Just go get it.

A darkly epic, grisly, beguiling journey set amid the frozen tundra of wartime Russia. Delicious prose. Once its dirty claws break skin, that icy death grip won’t be letting go anytime soon. Unforgettable.