I would also be curious to see these lists. As for understanding American culture, that's a _very_ interesting question: what America do you want to learn about

I would also be curious to see these lists. As for understanding American culture, that's a _very_ interesting question: what America do you want to learn about? I might argue that for understanding the American identity that Mark Twain is essential reading --- but just by the nature of time, what he writes has little bearing on the literal facts of today's America. He won't address how computers and mass media affect our populace, but he _will_ touch on divided racial identities, struggles with the unknown, war, the power of geography to unite and divide... If you're looking for something more recent (and from my list), I believe that William Maxwell possesses a uniquely American voice. Hemingway and Faulkner are also both arguably quintessential American writers, and --- even though I discarded my copy of Gatsby --- F. Scott Fitzgerald will give you a fun weekend in. For truly contemporary work, I'd look at Jonathan Franzen, David Foster Wallace, Jonathan Safran Foer, Kurt Vonnegut, Cormac McCarthy, Philip Roth... These, of course, represent largely my own experience. You'll likely notice right off the bat that these are all white men. In addition to books that are cultural guides to other countries, I'd be interested in seeing a similar list composed by someone from a different socioeconomic, racial, or sexual background from myself.