> I suspect it's not you. Of the people that I know that read Jordan and don't (1) praise him shamelessly, or (2) condemn him mercilessly -- they have said that the first three books are very good, and they start sliding downhill from there. I'm also told that around book 6 or 7 or so there's a step back up, though, so don't lose hope.

Thank you, Sam. I shall not give up hope just yet : ) shall persist and see what comes of it.