Thomas C. Foster is a professor of English at the University of Michigan-Flint. He teaches contemporary fiction, drama, poetry, creative writing, and composition. He is the author of several books including Twenty-Five Books That Shaped America: How White Whales, Green Lights, and Restless Spirits Forged Our National Identity, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines, and How to Read Novels Like a Professor: A Jaunty Exploration of the World's Favorite Literary Form.