Reading List: A Canticle for Leibowitz

I was first introduce to this book by my friend Matt who spent many weeks looking for it as many different book stores. I was able to find this at a used book store in Knoxville purely on blind luck. I wasn't even looking for it, I just happened to see it on the shelf. This is a very strange book. The story is divided up into 3 parts that each tell a story of the new age of man. The first being mainly an introduction the world now in the 26th century and an explanation of how things became this way. The second part is yet further in the future where electronics and ingenuity are once again taking shape in the minds of men. The third part is yet again farther in the future where man has once again entered into the atomic age. All these stories tell a powerful message of learning from our mistakes. The link holding this book together is that all these stories take place in a small abbey in the once southwest United States. The abbey of course is for the Albertan order for the Saint Leibowitz. That and an old pilgrim who occasionally shows up at different points of the book. It is very hard to describe mainly because at times this book takes a very serious turn and at times seems too hilarious to be taken so seriously. It was a good change of pace from my usual reading habits. I urge anyone to check it out.