Philip Roth's American Pastoral is an exilarating tour-de-forceby a great novelist at the height of his powers. The life of Seymour"Swede" Levov as seen by seen by Nathan Zuckerman, Roth's ofter alter-ego, is surely one of the greatest tragedies in modern literature. "Swede" is a throroghly good man who strives constantly for the happiness of his loved ones. His qualities as a character heighten the tragedy as he experiences trials of biblical proportions.This book touches on many themes and points in post-war American history with such detail ,eloquence and sympathy that it should be considered a masterpiece.