Directors note: A few years ago, Clemson English MA alum Ron Rash generously spoke at a celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Clemson MA in English program. I remember him saying something about how when he was a graduate student at Clemson, “people thought we were part of a cult, because we were always carrying books and reading.” Well, reading is central to the Humanities, and it seems to have stood Ron in good stead. In this review of his new book, Janet Maslin of the New York Times–the paper of record–describes Ron as “one of the best living American writers.” This is Clemson Humanities Now.