This novel tells of Andrew Goderich, failed academic and unemployed philosopher, and of his crisis and rebirth through hardship and service. At a loose end at the outbreak of war in an Ottawa electric with activity, he is galvanized into a purposefulness as a result of an unexpected meeting with representatives of the RCMP, the Department of External Affairs, and Canadian Jewry, who make him an offer he can't refuse.

Hugh Hood was born in Toronto in 1928 and studied at the University of Toronto, where he completed his Ph.D. in 1955. He worked as a university teacher for over forty years -- over thirty of those years spent at the Universit? de Montr?al. He was married to painter and printmaker Noreen Mallory and had four children. He died in Montreal in August of 2000.

Hood wrote 32 books, amongst them novels, collections of stories and essays, an art book, and a book of sports journalism. His most extended project, begun in 1975 and occupying him right up until the time of his death, was a twelve volume roman fleuve entitled The New Age / Le nouveau si?cle. The last book in this series, Near Water, was published by Anansi in 2000.

Hugh Hood's profile page