novels are as notorious as Ulysses. It is now considered one of the finest works of modernist fiction of the 20th century. Around 300 books of criticism, 50 written in the past ten years alone, have 8 over it. But when Ulysses came out in 1922 it caused 9 . For a decade and a half—over twice the length of time it took Joyce to write the book--it was banned in America and Britain. The Most Dangerous Book, by Kevin Birmingham, a literary historian at Harvard University, tells the story of how Ulysses was published in installments in small literary magazines and then in private, limited print runs by dedicated patrons (most of them women). Mr. Birmingham describes the multiple court cases, the legal wrangles and the extraordinary 10 men and women went to in order to smuggle it into Britain and America. In doing so, he offers a refreshing take on a tricky, exhilarating work.