Short non-fiction prose gems offer a captivating glimpse into the socio-political-economic landscape of post-WW I culture, with many hailing from 1920's Europe.

These works provide incisive observations that are both thought-provoking and engaging. Among the best are those that explore diverse topics such as fly-fishing, bull-fighting, food, and money.

The descriptions of fly-fishing transport the reader to the peaceful banks of rivers, while the accounts of bull-fighting capture the drama and excitement of the arena.

The exploration of food not only tantalizes the taste buds but also reveals the cultural significance of different cuisines.

And the discussions on money offer valuable insights into the economic challenges and opportunities of the time.

Together, these short prose gems form a rich tapestry of life in post-WW I Europe, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a bygone era and gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in today.

Hemingway's writing, at times, can give the impression of being a bit tense and self-conscious. This is because he was constantly striving to pen "the truest sentence" he knew.

However, in this regard, his articles and dispatches from the 20's to the 50's are delightfully relaxed in tone. True, his sentences still possess his characteristic succinctness, enabling him to describe details clearly without seeming "forced."

I was mainly intrigued by his writing on the Spanish Civil War and his coverage of World War II, which are truly outstanding. Nevertheless, his accounts of hotels in Switzerland, German inn-keepers, free shaves, and his advice to a young writer are also worthy of perusal. To my pleasant surprise, his sense of humor emerged on occasion, something that doesn't happen in his novels due to the aforementioned reasons. However, there are only so many fishing and shooting stories that held my interest, so I skipped most of them.

I don't envision casual readers picking up this collection. But for avid readers, it offers an interesting perspective on the profession that molded the style of a great novelist.

I really couldn't get into this one very far.

His press writing seemed to be rather precious. It was kind of prissy and picky, as if he was overly concerned with every little detail and trying too hard to make it seem more important than it actually was.

Maybe I'll give it another try at some point, but I have to admit that I'm not exactly looking forward to it. In fact, I'm kind of praying that I never have to.

There was just something about his writing style that didn't sit well with me. It felt a bit forced and artificial, and it didn't engage me on an emotional level.

I'll have to see if I can find something else to read that will capture my interest and keep me hooked from start to finish.

A series of articles were written by Hemingway for magazines and other publications between 1920 and 1956.

These articles are of great historical interest as Hemingway writes about the then current events such as the Spanish Civil War and WWII when he was directly involved.

Other articles discuss his lifestyle which includes fishing and big game hunting. However, these are not my interests, so I found those parts rather tedious to read.

One of my favorite articles was "The Christmas Gift" which was published in Look Magazine in 1954. His Christmas gift to his then wife, "Miss Mary", was a trip to Africa.

Unfortunately, the trip went terribly wrong as there were not one but two plane crashes. He and his wife were reported dead and newspapers around the world published his obituary.

After being rescued, he became 'addicted' (in his own words) to reading those obituaries.

This incident added an interesting and somewhat strange twist to his life and career.

Overall, Hemingway's articles offer a unique perspective on both historical events and his personal life.

Hemingway is a renowned author, and one of his very good books that was published contains news stories.

This collection of news stories offers a unique perspective into the events and happenings of that time. Hemingway's writing style, with its简洁 and direct language, brings these stories to life.

Readers can immerse themselves in the vivid descriptions and engaging narratives, experiencing the emotions and atmosphere of the news as it was reported.

The book not only provides valuable historical insights but also showcases Hemingway's talent as a writer.

It is a must-read for fans of Hemingway and those interested in journalism and history.

Through his news stories, Hemingway has left a lasting impact on the literary world.

A massive collection of journalism from throughout Hemingway's career has been in my hands.

It took me nearly a year and a half to complete reading it, which is significantly longer than the time I've spent on any of his other works.

It earns 3 stars almost by default. There were an enormous number of articles, and naturally, some were excellent while others were not so good. In the end, it all just balances out.

I obtained this book from the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Oak Park, IL. For that reason alone, it will always hold a special place in my heart.

This collection provides a unique perspective on Hemingway's writing evolution and his journalistic endeavors. It's a fascinating read, despite the varying quality of the articles.

Each piece offers a glimpse into the events and issues of the time as seen through Hemingway's eyes.

Overall, it's a valuable addition to any Hemingway enthusiast's library.

Some of the writing in this piece is truly fine, demonstrating a certain level of literary craftsmanship.

However, it is important to note that during World War II, the rules of reporting were extremely strict and often placed significant constraints on the content and style that could be presented.

This likely had an impact on the overall quality and creativity of the work. While it is still good, it may not represent the author's absolute best efforts.

Perhaps in a different era, with more freedom and flexibility in reporting, the author would have been able to produce even more outstanding and remarkable pieces of writing.

Nonetheless, this work still has its merits and provides valuable insights into the events and experiences of that particular time period.

I'm truly glad to witness the transformation of the journalist into a fiction writer. It's an interesting and rather remarkable evolution. However, I must admit that when we talk about journalism, Hemingway was indeed no García Márquez.

Hemingway had his own unique style and approach in journalism. His writing was often characterized by brevity, directness, and a focus on the essential details. He had a way of capturing the essence of a story in a concise and powerful manner.

On the other hand, García Márquez brought a different kind of magic to his work. His use of vivid imagery, rich language, and a touch of the supernatural made his stories come alive in a completely different way.

While both were incredibly talented writers, their styles and techniques in journalism were distinct. It's fascinating to compare and contrast them and see how they each left their mark on the world of writing.

I'm a huge Ernest Hemingway fan.

Of course, there are aspects of his personal life that are less than admirable, such as philandering, alcoholism, excessive machismo, and wild animal slaughter (my special condolences to the bulls of Spain, the elephants of Africa, and the marlins in the Gulf Stream. Although, on the whole, he did seem to really love his kitty cats).

Nevertheless, it's his writing that truly matters and is the only reason we care about the rest.

So, I was very excited when, many years ago, I came across this collection of articles he wrote while working as a reporter. Some were written before he became famous as a novelist, and some after. The short excerpt below is one of my absolute favorites. It's from an essay Hemingway wrote for Esquire magazine in 1935, when he was thirty-six. It details the advice he gave to a young man who hitchhiked from Minnesota to Key West and showed up at his doorstep, claiming he wanted to be a writer. Hemingway gave the kid a job as a night watchman on his boat, the Pilar, and from then on was constantly pestered about what he calls "the practice of letters." Because the kid played the violin (badly), Hemingway nicknamed him Maestro, which he then shortened to "Mice." Here is an excerpt from "Monologue to the Maestro." Hemingway refers to himself as "Y.C.," short for "Your Correspondent."

What I really love about this essay is not only its slightly cynical yet still good-natured humor, but also that the writing advice is genuine, useful, and honest. I think the knowledge imparted, especially about paying attention, is valuable for any writer, artist, or for that matter, for any human being.

Mice: How can a writer train himself?

Y.C.: Watch what happens today. If we catch a fish, see exactly what everyone does. If you get a thrill when it's jumping, remember back until you see exactly what the action was that gave you the emotion. Whether it was the line rising from the water and the way it tightened like a fiddle string until drops started to fall from it, or the way it smashed and splashed water when it jumped. Remember what the noises were and what was said. Figure out what gave you the emotion: what the action was that gave you the excitement. Then write it down clearly so the reader can see it too and have the same feeling you had. That's a basic exercise.

Mice: All right.

Y.C.: Then try to get into someone else's head for a change. If I scold you, try to figure out what I'm thinking as well as how you feel about it. If Carlos curses Juan, think about both their perspectives. Don't just think about who is right. As a man, things are the way they are or aren't. As a man, you know who is right and who is wrong. You have to make decisions and enforce them. As a writer, you shouldn't judge. You should understand.

Mice: All right.

Y.C.: Now listen. When people talk, listen carefully. Don't be thinking about what you're going to say. Most people never really listen. Nor do they observe. You should be able to walk into a room and when you come out, know everything you saw there and more. If that room gave you any feeling, you should know exactly what it was that gave you that feeling. Try that for practice. When you're in town, stand outside the theater and see how people differ in the way they get out of taxis or cars. There are countless ways to practice. And always think about other people.

Pretty good.

This simple phrase holds a world of meaning. It can describe a variety of things, from a delicious meal to a great movie. When we say something is "pretty good," we are expressing our satisfaction and approval.

For example, if we go to a new restaurant and the food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is pleasant, we might say, "This place is pretty good." Or if we watch a movie that has a great plot, outstanding acting, and beautiful cinematography, we might also say, "That movie was pretty good."

In conclusion, "pretty good" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that can be used to describe many different aspects of our lives. It is a way to express our positive feelings and share our experiences with others.

I will get to all of Hemingway someday. The fact that he has been dead for over 50 years (since 1962) and I am still learning about him makes him an incredible literary and historical figure. This book received good reviews, was available on Audible, and is about Papa, so I was eager to read it.

There are too many articles for me to discuss each one. Instead, I will share my thoughts on each time period covered in the book, which spans over 4 decades and is divided into 5 parts.

Part 1 focuses on the young Hemingway from 1920-1924. While some articles were enjoyable, others were dull and tedious. I loved the light-hearted Hemingway, like when he got a shave from a barber college and a tooth pulled by a student. However, as time passes, we see his realistic views of the world, his hatred for Mussolini, and his fascination with bullfighting. The bullfighting aspect is strange as he admits it's a tragedy but still finds it exciting.

Part 2 shows Hemingway's love for Cuba, fishing, and hunting. We also learn where he got the inspiration for "The Old Man and the Sea." His love for Key West and boxing is also mentioned, along with some unexpected humor about birds. This section is not the best, but as a big fan of Papa, I still enjoyed it. There is a wonderful part where Ernest gives advice to a young writer, which is similar to what he said in "A Moveable Feast."

Part 3 presents Hemingway's complex character. Despite his flaws such as animal cruelty, womanizing, alcoholism, and racist tendencies, he was a true patriot, brave, heroic, and a great reporter who would go to the most dangerous places to get the truth. We see him in the Spanish Civil War, on the front lines, witnessing the gruesome sights of war but also the heroics. He also predicts the start of WWII within six months.

Part 4 is the best part of the book for me. It begins with an interview with Ernest that I had hoped would be in audio. His assessment of Japan-China relations is interesting, and he shows the determination and resourcefulness of the Chinese. We also learn about his experiences in WWII, including his landing on D-Day and his actions in the fight for Paris and Germany. Hemingway acted like a soldier, which cements my view of him as a hero.
Part 5 shows Hemingway after the war, returning to what he loves but also becoming weary with the world. He talks about his drinking and his desire to see people less. The book ends with an incredible and sad story of his survival of two plane crashes and his obsession with reading his own obituaries. Despite the sadness, there are also some amusing tales, like how he finally gets a bodyguard/assistant.

This is an excellent non-fiction collection of Hemingway's life and his adventures as a reporter. While there were times I was bored and found it long in places, I highly recommend it. It's not for children due to graphic violence and language, so I would say ages 16+.

This is an extremely excellent collection.

It not only offers a great means of obtaining some historical knowledge about Hemingway's era but also provides a biography of Hemingway himself.

You should never skip the third part of this. The first story is set in Cuba, and the second one is in Nairobi, in 1951 and 1954 respectively.

No matter where you are on the Earth, you can establish a connection because we encounter animals, a diverse range of them, as well as citizens, also in various forms. Moreover, he vividly describes the landscape, including volcanoes and lakes.

This collection truly enriches our understanding of Hemingway and his works, and allows us to immerse ourselves in the unique atmosphere of his stories.

It is a valuable literary treasure that is worthy of our careful reading and exploration.