Charles Dickens was the 19th-century equivalent of a pop superstar and an undisputed genius whose novels have remained enduringly popular. This quiet talk with his ghost (which takes place at the inn so beloved by Mr. Pickwick) conveys all his vigor, warmth, and humanity—and provides a scintillating tour through his life, career, eccentricities, and trenchant opinions. Sit back and listen to this master conversationalist talk about everything from work in a boot-polish factory to his immensely popular lecture tours in America.