I wholeheartedly agree that this book proceedes at a snail's pace for the first fivehundred pages or so. However, once the book picks up pace, it is a great read. I found it to be very provocative in its juxtaposition of orderly civilization vs. practical frontiersmanship. The ending also has a bit of a twist, and the books his hard to put down for the last 5 or so chapters. All in all, I enjoyed this book.
