What piece of art changed your life? How did it affect you?

Shakespeare's play King Lear, which I saw for the first time at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in 1968. It made me understand for the first time the real tragedy of human mortality, the paradox of time, and the power of poetry to express it. I've been studying the play ever since, and learn something new every time I read it.

Daniel Mark Epstein's book Lincoln's Men was just published by Smithsonian/Harper Collins. He'll be at the Hopkins Barnes & Noble (33rd and St. Paul streets) for a talk and signing on February 17th at 7 pm.