From one of the world’s greatest modern writers: collected here is some of Martin Amis's best nonfiction work from over two decades, ranging from politics and sports to celebrity, America, and literature. “Amis throws off more provocative ideas and images in a single paragraph than most writers get into complete novels.”—The Seattle Times As a journalist, critic, and novelist, Amis has always turned his keen intellect and unrivaled prose loose on an astonishing range of topics—politics, sports, celebrity, America, and, of course, literature. He writes about finally confronting the effects of aging on his athletic prowess. He revisits the worlds of Bellow and Nabokov, his “twin peaks,” masters who have obsessed and inspired him. And he turns his piercingly observant eye on Donald Trump, whom he finds “scowling out from under an omelette of makeup” in the run-up to the 2016 Republican Convention, and at a post-election rally, regarding his crowd of supporters with a “flat sneer of Ozymandian hauteur.” Overflowing with startling and singular turns of phrase, and complete with new commentary by the author, The Rub of Time is a vital addition to any bookshelf, and the perfect primer for readers discovering Amis’s fierce talents for the first time.

Ritchie savored the excitement he was sensing in the darkness of the room. Not the excitement of adrenaline induced fear but the excitement of adrenaline pumped anxiety and anticipation. This was the promised feast that Abdullah had turned into a nightmare, that night, almost two months before. He had been an unkind host this Bedu-made-in America Abdullah. He had grievously injured his trusting guests, had been cunning in his deception, and merciless in his cruelty. Grievously he had erred and grievously he was going to pay for his sin. He could no longer be trusted, this raving mad dog of an Arab. He had made a mistake of major proportions in betraying the friendship of an American. In a series of murderous adventures, Glassier takes terrorism to the center of the Rub al-Khali Desert. To his surprise, this area also known as the Empty Quarter is not only full of oil, but also of love, hatred, sex, drugs, and above all-mirages-the ultimate level playing field.

For years Sheridan (Danni) Yates has felt like she had to take on the world alone. The beautiful loner moves from city to city, always holding back and never allowing herself to fit in. Hunter Roberts senses something special about Danni shortly after she moves to his quaint hometown. Like him, she keeps to herself and lives quietly. Is it possible she's battling ghosts of her past, as he does? The two enjoy the time they spend together. Hunter doesn't push her to talk about her past, and Danni, in turn, doesn’t ask about his scars. Their feelings for one another are deepening by the day. Together, they feel they can face anything. There’s the Rub. Can Danni and Hunter open up to one another and share the secrets that haunt them? Or will fear destroy their chance at real happiness?

First published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

It is calamitous for mankind, when we live without compassion for one another. When the basket of sympathy leaks out the streams of unity. There is the rub. The cross of our disunity. need for borders and intolerance. AiyeKo-ooto, weaves 50 poems dipped in 5 movements in this emotive worded anthology. Every song, every bar, every note; rings for agape love and compassion. In tearful drops we strain, look over your shoulders, what we have lost, living the way we do. Sitting in the rain, we mourn, the departure of those we claim to love, but cared not for enough. Feeling thumping beats; we stumble, across the reality of togetherness and need for our human bonds. But there is no honor among thieves, then we are strangers here. We accuse, abuse and confuse, our destinations. We see only the good after the clock has rung midnight! Why asks Aiyeko-ooto in these ticklish poems- Why do we part rather than peer? Yet, nobody knows why I cry, for the troubles of another.