Bat Goddess posted: "By the way, Guest, pdc, I'm in the middle of re- reading "Moby Dick" for the first time since I was 14. And, believe me, I didn't have the education or maturity to fully appreciate it at the time. What a book!"

I couldn't agree more. One of the most fortunate experiences I ever had was in my second year of university (as a mature student), when I signed up for a semester-long course on Moby Dick. Wow, was I lucky to take that course! The prof was a Melville fanatic, belonged to the Melville Society (had the whale belt buckle) and knew Melville's sources, his inspiration, his own whaling experiences that lead to the creation of the book -- the whole thing. I remembered that course for years, and have read Moby Dick several times since, each time getting more out of it.

Enjoy!!