Matt Cohen"s stories have been widely anthologized and have appeared in distinguished periodicals and journals in Canada, Britain and the United States. Lives of the Mind Slaves features 7 short stories -- one of which (`Trotsky"s First Confessions") was written especially for this book -- and a brilliant novella.Cohen"s novella, `Golden Whore of the Heartland`, explores the conflict between the spontaneity of passion -- a chance affair -- and the comfort of commitment and belonging. `The Sins of Tomas Benares" explores the theme of love over generations. "Café Le Dog" is a celebration of all that remains inexplicable in the attractions between men and women. `Racial Memories" is vintage Cohen -- a story about a not-so-classic Jewish family.Lives of the Mind Slaves contains the best of Cohen"s two previous short story collections, Café Le Dog and Living on Water.