Winner of the National Book Award in 1985, Don DeLillo's postmodern masterpiece is about Jack and Babette, a middle America couple with children from previous marriages. After a deadly toxic accident and Babette's addiction to an experimental drug, Jack is forced to question everything about his life.--Barnes & Noble. Jack Gladney, chairman of the department of Hitler studies at Blacksmith College, is afraid of death. So are his son, Heinrich, and Babette, who tends children. Don DeLillo's other novels include 'Underworld' and 'Libra'. Jack Gladney is the creator and chairman of Hitler studies at the College-on-the-Hill. This is the story of his absurd life; a life that is going well enough, until a chemical spill from a rail car releases an 'Airborne Toxic Event' and Jack is forced to confront his biggest fear his own mortality.