One of my reading specialties is collections of letters and diaries. After reading this gorgeous collection I felt like Steinbeck had inadvertantly written his autobiography. I started it on vacation on the Monterey peninsula, and happened to stumble upon his former home in Pacific Grove, which made me even more enthusiastic. Continuing to read the collection on the way back east, I found myself slowing down to savor the letters more, and didn’t want it to end. Steinbeck clearly took a lot of care in writing his correspondence, and his great spirit is thereby revealed. The editing is masterful. Instead of distracting the reader with footnotes, whole explanatory paragraphs are inserted, sometimes even in the body of the letter, making for very smooth reading. For clarity, they’re indented, and not at all intrusive. Anyone reading Steinbeck would be well advised to get this. Since I’ve only read about five of his books, it will be an enhanced pleasure to read more. Bravo to Steinbeck’s widow and Robert Wallsten, the editors.