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Rating(4 / 5.0, 76 votes)
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76 reviews
July 14,2025
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A must for any Hemingway fan as it offers material that you might never have seen otherwise. Some of it dates back to his early 20s, while some was written when he was already famous and covering World War II. There are also fishing and hunting stories contributed to magazines like Esquire.


If you're like me, you won't love every single article. However, taken as a whole, they allow you to witness his growth as a writer and also enable you to compare his approach to reporting with that of his books.


Reading all of them in one sitting was truly a delight. It was like embarking on a journey through Hemingway's life and career, seeing the different facets of his writing and how he evolved over time. Each article added a new layer to the understanding of this literary giant, making it an essential collection for any serious Hemingway enthusiast.

July 14,2025
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The book is truly a gem.

What I found most captivating was the humor that was interwoven throughout, delivered with a touch of sarcasm. It had me giggling on numerous occasions.

The newspaper articles within the book were not only deep and educational but also managed to be highly amusing. They provided valuable insights while keeping the reader entertained.

This unique combination of elements makes this book a must-read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable read that also offers some intellectual stimulation.

Whether you're a fan of humor, satire, or just good storytelling, this book has something for everyone. So, don't miss out on this wonderful literary experience.
July 14,2025
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Pretty boring.

This simple description seems to capture a common sentiment. It implies a lack of excitement or stimulation.

When something is described as "pretty boring," it often means that it fails to engage our interest or hold our attention.

It could refer to a task, an activity, a place, or even a person.

Boredom can be a subjective experience, as what one person finds boring, another might find fascinating.

However, in general, when something is consistently described as boring, it may indicate that it lacks variety, novelty, or purpose.

To combat boredom, we can seek out new experiences, try different activities, or find ways to add more interest and meaning to the things we do.

By doing so, we can break free from the monotony and discover the excitement and joy that lies beyond the realm of the "pretty boring."
July 14,2025
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This is definitely Hemingway. His works, such as "A Moveable Feast", have a profound impact on me and make me eager to pick up a pen and start writing.

However, the wonderful lines in Hemingway's works also make me feel inferior. His writing is so excellent that I sometimes think that no one else is good enough to write.

Hemingway had a unique view on reporting. He believed that reporting was like prostitution, except when it was written as well as a story. This view may seem a bit extreme, but it also reflects Hemingway's high standards for writing.

In conclusion, Hemingway is an outstanding writer whose works and views have had a great influence on me. Although I feel inferior in front of his works, I also hope to learn from him and improve my writing level.
July 14,2025
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Hemingway is my absolute favorite author, and from my biased perspective, I firmly believe that half of this book is truly great. His insights and observations of 1920s Europe, along with his personal times and experiences as an expat, form the very essence and key of this remarkable work. The way he describes various activities such as trout fishing, marlin fishing, whale fishing, bullfighting, antelope hunting, elephant hunting, and lion hunting is simply astonishing. He delves into these details with an exhaustively exquisite level of precision and vividness. It is these detailed accounts that make me think that only half of the book is great. The other half, perhaps, might not reach the same level of excellence in my eyes, but that doesn't take away from the sheer brilliance of the parts that do shine.

July 14,2025
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**Title: The Importance of Reading**

Reading is an essential activity that offers numerous benefits.

It allows us to expand our knowledge, improve our vocabulary, and enhance our cognitive abilities.

By reading different types of books, we can explore various cultures, ideas, and perspectives.

Moreover, reading can be a great source of entertainment and relaxation.

It can transport us to different worlds and let us experience things we might never have the opportunity to in real life.

Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or an informative non-fiction book, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

In addition, reading can also improve our writing skills.

By observing how authors construct sentences, develop characters, and build plots, we can learn valuable lessons that we can apply to our own writing.

Overall, reading is a powerful tool that can enrich our lives in many ways.

So, make sure to set aside some time each day to pick up a good book and start reading.
July 14,2025
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Hemingway has never been my favorite author.

I wasn't keen on the hunting/fishing/bull fighting parts of this book.

However, his current events and political commentary were outstanding.

I loved his description of Mussolini. It was vivid and detailed, allowing me to gain a better understanding of the man.

I was also stunned by his description of the Thrace refugees. The way he portrayed their plight was heart-wrenching and made me realize the human cost of war.

Knowing what happened historically, I was fascinated reading his analysis of events leading up to WWII.

His insights were unique and provided a different perspective on the causes and consequences of the war.

Overall, although I may not have enjoyed all aspects of the book, I have to admit that Hemingway's writing was powerful and thought-provoking.
July 14,2025
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Hemingway's Op-eds offer a fascinating insight into the evolution of his style, personality, and perspective on humanity throughout the years.

His writings are not only a reflection of his own experiences but also a window into the world he lived in.

The articles about hunting lions, in particular, are captivating. They showcase his adventurous spirit and his connection with nature.

Hemingway's descriptions of the hunt are vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to almost feel as if they are there with him.

These op-eds not only provide entertainment but also offer a deeper understanding of Hemingway as a writer and a person.

They are a testament to his talent and his ability to capture the essence of a moment in words.

Overall, Hemingway's Op-eds are a must-read for anyone interested in his work or in the history of literature.
July 14,2025
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I read this many, many years ago so I welcomed the opportunity to reread it this week. Time well spent.

As I delved deeper into this work, my initial enthusiasm began to wane. It's arranged chronologically, starting with the pieces Hemingway wrote at 20 while working for the Toronto Star. Back then, as I was struggling to pen a term paper in university, he was vividly describing the festival at Pamplona, showing an acute eye and ear for detail, despite likely getting drunk every night.

It's disheartening to consider how much greater he could have been as a writer had he not achieved such early fame and fortune. I feel a bit of an asshole for suggesting that a Nobel laureate could have done more, but I truly believe his writing never surpassed his early works, like his short stories and The Sun Also Rises.

I understand he grew up fishing and hunting, but his accounts of hunting in Africa hold no appeal for me. I just can't fathom why anyone would want to kill every animal they encounter.

I have no interest in fishing either, although I love to cook and eat fish. It's simply not my thing. However, his article The Best Rainbow Trout Fishing from the Toronto Star in 1920 is quite charming. You can almost envision the transition from this to the beautiful scene in the Pyrenes when Jake goes fishing in the mountains above Pamplona on a lovely summer afternoon.

Hemingway's reporting before WWII was often way off the mark and far from prescient. He advocated for U.S. isolationism or simply supported both sides for financial gain. Why anyone would seek his opinion on these matters is beyond me.

This volume is rife with examples of Hemingway opining on topics he knew little about or making sweeping generalizations based on limited anecdotal experience. The Germans are this way, the Swiss are that. Nevertheless, when he could stay out of the narrative, he did some excellent reporting.

I can hardly bring myself to criticize Hemingway because I feel so indebted to him. Growing up in the middle of America, I had seen very little before devouring my parents' collection of his books. He inspired me to travel, learn French and Spanish. I did, and for that, I'm grateful to him for igniting my previously landlocked imagination.
July 14,2025
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I love this man.

He is truly remarkable in every way. His kind heart and gentle nature draw me in like a magnet. Whenever I am with him, I feel a sense of peace and security that I have never felt before.

His intelligence and wisdom are also qualities that I admire. He always has something interesting and thought-provoking to say, and I learn so much from him.

Not only is he wonderful on the inside, but he is also incredibly handsome on the outside. His smile can light up a room and his eyes are like deep pools that I could get lost in forever.

I feel so lucky to have met him and to have him in my life. I know that our love will only grow stronger with each passing day, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with him.
July 14,2025
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**Original Article**: The importance of exercise cannot be overemphasized. It helps maintain a healthy body and mind. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle strength, and boost the immune system.

**Expanded Article**:

The significance of exercise simply cannot be exaggerated. It plays a crucial role in maintaining both a healthy body and a sound mind.

Engaging in regular exercise offers numerous benefits. For instance, it can significantly improve cardiovascular health. By getting the heart pumping and the blood flowing, it reduces the risk of heart diseases and keeps the circulatory system in top-notch condition.

Moreover, exercise is essential for increasing muscle strength. Through consistent physical activity, our muscles become stronger and more toned, enabling us to perform daily tasks with greater ease and efficiency.

Last but not least, regular exercise also has a positive impact on the immune system. It helps the body fight off infections and diseases more effectively, keeping us healthy and less prone to illness.

In conclusion, exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, and we should all make an effort to incorporate it into our daily routines.
July 14,2025
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I love this anthology.

At first, I wasn't planning to read it again, maybe just one or two stories. But once I started, I simply couldn't stop.

Hemingway's journalism had a profound influence on his fictional works, and these pieces are truly excellent. I read them with a mix of admiration and a hint of jealousy.

The second story has remained in my mind since the first time I read it. It's about free things, and Hemingway gets a free shave from the beginners at the barber's academy in Toronto. Then he has a tooth pulled at the dentistry school, which reminds me of my own experience when I was a young man in Adelaide. The hands in my mouth were the worst ever.

The book chronicles various journeys around Europe in the 1920s. In the first part, Hemingway travels through Spain, Germany, and France, fishing, flying, and filing his reports. In the second part, he introduces Cuba in the 1930s. His writing is like a vivid visual almanac, filled with weights, distances, records, and all the necessary details that readers absorb subconsciously. When he writes about game fishing and bullfighting, every detail of the fight and the participants, both human and animal, is crucial.

His political observations are also engaging. In the early years, they are more like political sketches, but later they become more biting. Writing for the Toronto Star about the 1922 Genoa conference in Italy, he prepares his readers with a gritty account of the behavior of the fascists and communists. He paints a picture of constant skirmishing, with the fascists having the upper hand.

Here, we can already see his brilliance in observational portraiture. Later in the book, he talks about how observation and understanding of individuals are the underpinnings of his writing. His passing description of the Canadian representative, Sir Charles Blair Gordon, in just nine words, "blonde, ruddy-faced and a little ill at ease," tells us all we need to know.

There is also an excellent profile of the first Soviet Foreign Minister, Tchitcherin, at a subsequent conference in Lausanne. Hemingway's description of his plump, cold hands that lie in yours like a dead man's is both vivid and disturbing. He also ridicules Tchitcherin for having a portrait taken in a military officer's uniform after revealing that the Soviet diplomat had been made to wear dresses by his mother until he was 12.

A curiously out-of-place story about a death knock in Japan has always stuck in my mind. Hemingway and another reporter try to convince a mother to speak to them after a tsunami. The mother is skeptical and doesn't want their names used, believing that all newspaper reporters are liars. Hemingway's response is both witty and revealing of his professional integrity.

To read a lifetime of journalism in one anthology is to see the man's character change over time. He starts out as a great stylist and ends up, like many of us, becoming a bit of a curmudgeon. But the drive to write really well is always there, and it becomes more evident in his later years.

The anthology also includes pieces about the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Hemingway's writing becomes more circumspect during these times, perhaps because the possibility of death is more real. His piece about World War II London Fights the Robots is considered one of the finest pieces of war writing, but I also like his accounts of running around with the French resistance fighters.

The last part of the anthology contains a series of pieces from Africa, including one about the two air crashes that led to a number of premature obituaries. His character is strongly set in these pieces, and we see him downplaying the injuries that would plague him for the rest of his life. The final piece, about the Navy NCOs who visited him in Cuba, is quite evocative and reveals a man trying to come to terms with his position in American life at the end of his career.

This is a fine anthology, and I would highly recommend it to any writer or journalist, or those who aspire to be. It offers a unique glimpse into the mind and work of one of the greatest writers of the 20th century.
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