In November of 2007, Paul Chan and New York arts organization Creative Time presented Samuel Bekett's Waiting for Godotin New Orleans, together with Christopher McElroen, Director and Producer of The Classical Theatre of Harlem. This three-part reader presents a critical response to New Orleans' post-Katrina devastation by exploring the personal and political conditions facing its citizens through Beckett's emblematic story about waiting and futility. Compelling contributions from internationally acclaimed writers and activists include Susan Sontag on her own presentation of Waiting for Godotin Sarajevo during the War and Terry Eagleton on "Political Beckett." Curator Nato Thompson talks with Chan about the complexities of working in a devastated environment, and there are additional contributions by New Orleanian community leaders, poets, artists and activists including Malik Rahim, Willie Birch and Kaluma ya Salaam. Sketches and photographs of the project and new artwork by Chan, Birch and others illustrate the book.