Cold Mountain, dense and epic, is the novel of 1999 which I hold closest to my heart. As an aspiring writer, I let this book take my perception of nature, of American history, of romance and war to a new level. I read Cold Mountain in bed at night and on the job (!) for many weeks; for as you may find, the depth of his descriptive ability is lost in a quick skim. For the reviewers who didn't get it, I ask that they read it again, put some effort into this novel; try to visualize Inman walking down the road, feel his desire to get home and find his love. Give it a chance!