Every reader can name at least one book that changed his or her life—and many more beloved titles will surely come to mind as well. In <i>The Book That Changed My Life</i>, fifteen of America's most influential authors discuss their own special literary choices. These unique interviews with National Book Award winners and finalists offer new insights into the many ways in which the experience of reading shapes the act of writing. Robert Stone on Joseph Conrad's <i>Victory</i>, Cynthia Ozick on Henry James's <i>Washington Square</i>, Charles Johnson on Jack London's <i>The Sea-Wolf</i>—each approaches the question of literary influence, while offering rich and wonderful revelations about his or her own writing career. James Carroll, Don DeLillo, E. L. Doctorow, Diane Johnson, Philip Levine, David Levering Lewis, Barry Lopez, David McCullough, Alice McDermott, Grace Paley, Linda Pastan, and Katherine Paterson are the other distinguished contributors to this collection of informed, insightful interviews.