What a remarkable compilation of Hemingway's journalism, spanning from 1920 all the way through 1956, just under 5 years before his untimely death.

Recently, I came across a comment that labeled Hemingway as a Neanderthal who couldn't string two sentences together. While it's true that his writing can sometimes seem choppy and lacks the melodic prose of the great writers who preceded him, that's not why I read him.

I don't read Hemingway for his prose or intellectual abilities (or what some might perceive as inabilities). My absolute favorite aspect of his fiction writing is the way he transports me right into the very moment when his stories are unfolding. It's as if I'm tucked away in his shirt pocket, able to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel everything that he does. And these articles are no different. In fact, I believe some of his journalism is even better than any of his fiction. (I was particularly impressed with the articles he wrote for The Toronto Star during his early 20s.)

I picked up this book after reading a couple of his articles written for Esquire in the 1930s and enjoying them immensely. I initially thought I would read an article here and there and slowly make my way through it while also reading something of "more substance." But that didn't happen. I didn't pick up another book to read alongside it, and I even put a halt to my audiobook.

Part of what intrigues me about this particular series of stories is the subjects he's written about. I have a passion for being on my boat, fishing, hiking, and history, especially the history of the World Wars. These topics may bore other readers and prevent them from experiencing the extreme enjoyment that I did, but I firmly believe that anyone who reads these articles would have to agree that Hemingway led a rich and exciting life. So, Mr. Hemingway, I am deeply grateful to you for sharing your life and giving me more than just a glimpse of your adventures. I was able to envision an entire cinematic movie in my imagination.

**Title: A Wonderful Experience**

I had an amazing experience recently.

I went on a trip to a beautiful destination. The scenery there was breathtaking.

The mountains were tall and majestic, covered in lush greenery. The rivers flowed gently, with clear water that sparkled in the sunlight.

I also visited some local attractions and learned a lot about the local culture and history.

The people there were very friendly and welcoming. They made me feel at home and shared their stories and traditions with me.

Overall, it was a 4.5-star experience. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a memorable vacation.

I can't wait to go back again someday.

The second best thing by Hemingway after "Fiesta". A life lived to the fullest and described masterfully.

Hemingway is renowned for his unique writing style and the ability to capture the essence of life in his works. This particular piece is no exception. It offers a vivid portrayal of a life that has been fully experienced, with all its joys, sorrows, and adventures.

The author's use of language is masterful, painting a detailed picture in the reader's mind. We can almost feel the emotions and see the scenes unfold as we read. It's as if we are right there with the characters, sharing in their experiences.

Whether you are a die-hard Hemingway fan or simply someone who appreciates great literature, this work is sure to captivate you. It's a testament to the power of words and the ability of an author to transport us to another world.

Hemingway himself has said “a classic is a thing that everyone talks about yet almost no one reads.”

To be a writer of classics and simultaneously be hailed, while still alive, as America’s Greatest Living Author, and be imitated by anyone who has ever picked up a pen with the hope of writing The Great American Novel, must surely act as a double-edged sword for a writer of Hemingway’s talent and temperament. He knew that being accepted in such a way was bound to dissuade even the most eager readers in future decades.

This book is filled with little-known (at least to me) pieces that are cleverly, wittily, grittily, lively, and extraordinarily well-written for the newspapers and periodicals of the day. They serve as a boost to renew interest in reading some of the author’s longer works. (I have attempted to read through several but have only finished The Old Man And The Sea, which I was required to read in school.)

Most of the pieces could have been written yesterday or tomorrow and in no way seem dated. These pieces were written by a writer whose fame and reader expectations had not yet been solidified and confined to his later easily recognizable style. A writer still hungry for fame, not yet held back by sentiment or nostalgia.

The writings here are unselfconsciously modernistic, energetically articulate, and stylistically muscular to an astonishing degree.

Although classified as non-fiction, their narrative style at times blurs the line between their value as art and as life, in the best sense.

For a long time I have been reading, and this time - thoroughly and carefully for a term paper - with a focus on military texts. Most people know Hemingway primarily as a novelist, but throughout his life he was closely associated with journalism - he was a reporter, correspondent, and freelancer (essays, travelogues, etc.); his last two wives were also famous journalists. I truly believe that anyone who is involved in media should read this book. Hemingway focuses on looking a person in the eye and describing him. Truth is his goal. Style comes later.

Most of the texts are very beautiful - slightly literary in places, sometimes too personal, at other times - boastful or too bold... In fact, it is difficult to say, because the collection brings together things from the period 1920 - 1956, and that is an awfully long time. In any case, it is truly interesting how journalism develops - these texts are so different from modern journalism.

It's obvious that it isn't as good as a book by Hemingway. However, reading the articles that he wrote over the years is definitely very interesting. I really liked his early works. For example, the ones where he made fun of people who go to apprentice dentists and barbers. His articles from both wars are mostly quite good as well. But the 'killing of animals' part was extremely annoying. As we know nowadays, all of this hunting by white males of the previous generations was one of the causes that led the wildlife to the sorry state it is in today. Although Hemingway always treats the animals with respect, the whole idea that you need to kill it if you love it seems very strange and alien.

Hemingway might have been born with a certain machismo and jerkiness. By the time the world began to call him Papa, he was perhaps bitter and on the verge of going a bit nuts, like a fruit pit. But, oh boy, could he truly live! And could he write!

Both of these qualities are abundantly clear throughout "By-Line", a collection of dispatches he wrote for various newspapers and magazines from 1920 to 1956. No matter how old these pieces are, there is a vitality, a freshness to the very best of them that surely ranks him among, if not above, the most skilled adventure/travel/war/human-interest journalists of the modern era or any other.

Long before Mailer, Capote, Wolfe, and others gave birth to the New Journalism, that is, the nonfictional novel among other creations, Hemingway was already applying the art and technique of fiction to trout fishing, bullfighting, currency trading, and you name it. The articles he crafted for Esquire, Look, Collier's, and so on are more like short stories, filled with all the thrills and catharsis of that genre.

Do you want to be entertained and also learn a great deal about history, geography, geology, exotic people and places, and the ways of the world in the process? Don't let the ages of the little gems within "By-Line" deceive you - it is and always will be a book for the ages.

There were an excessive number of essays regarding hunting and fishing that didn't quite suit my personal taste.

Undoubtedly, he was a highly competent war correspondent, yet on certain occasions, those essays tended to become rather repetitive.

If one were to read them on a monthly basis, perhaps the perception wouldn't be the same. However, reading them consecutively, one after the other, wasn't necessarily the most advisable idea.

The constant recurrence of similar themes and ideas within those essays could potentially lead to a sense of monotony and boredom.

It would have been more engaging and refreshing if there had been a greater variety in the topics covered or a more diverse approach in presenting the information.

Nevertheless, it's important to note that everyone has different preferences when it comes to reading material, and what might seem repetitive to one person could be of great interest to another.

Nonetheless, for me, the abundance of hunting and fishing essays, along with their repetitive nature, somewhat diminished my overall enjoyment of the collection.

I'm not a huge fan of Hemingway's fiction, but this book was different. It included a diverse range of articles he wrote.

He was not only a novelist but also a remarkable journalist. He contributed to various newspapers and magazines such as Esquire, Look, True, and more.

As a war reporter, he was fearless. He was right in the thick of the fighting during the Spanish Civil War and was embedded with front line troops during WWII. At times, it makes one wonder if he was reporting the action or actually directing it. The account of D-Day, which was written for Collier's magazine, was truly captivating. It made the reader feel as if they were on the LCV with the soldiers, experiencing the anxiety, disorganization, mayhem, and the stalwart resolve and bravery of the troops. It is truly a memorable piece.

He was also in Asia prior to the US entering WWII. He described Japan's drive to gain control of oil and iron and how their war with China was impeding their ability to attack more southern areas. This provided very educational historical insights for me.

One of my favorite articles was "Chinese Build Air Field". Nelson Johnson, the US Ambassador to Chung-King, told Hemingway that "China can do anything that China wants to do." Hemingway was initially skeptical. However, when Chiang Kai-shek discovered that he did not have airplane runways that could accommodate the Fly Fortress, Boeing B17, he tasked Chen Loh-kwan, an engineering graduate, to build a runway in about 2 and a half months. Amazingly, it was all built without modern equipment. The workers hauled sand in wheelbarrows and baskets on carrying sticks, crushed stone with hammers, built ditches to carry water to the construction site, and mixed the cement with their feet. Then they rolled it with huge rollers pulled by manpower. Miraculously, the runway was finished by the deadline.

His story of taking a trip with his wife in Africa on small planes and experiencing not one, but two plane crashes was also quite interesting. It shows something about the man that he was willing to fly again.

Although I wasn't crazy about his articles on hunting and fishing, I could tell that he was very knowledgeable and passionate about these subjects. Overall, this collection of articles offers a unique perspective on Hemingway's life and work.

**Title: More of the Same**

In our daily lives, we often encounter situations where it seems like we are getting more of the same.

This could be in the form of repetitive tasks at work, the same routine day after day, or even seeing the same patterns in our relationships.

While some may find comfort in the familiarity, others may feel a sense of stagnation and boredom.

However, it's important to note that even in the midst of more of the same, there are opportunities for growth and change.

We can choose to approach these situations with a fresh perspective, look for new ways to do things, or seek out new experiences.

By doing so, we can break free from the monotony and discover new possibilities.

So, the next time you find yourself faced with more of the same, don't despair.

Instead, embrace it as a chance to learn, grow, and create something new.

Remember, change is always possible, even in the most seemingly unchanging of circumstances.

A collection of mostly non-fiction newspaper articles that he penned for the war exists. If my memory serves me right, a significant portion of it was rather dull. However, within this collection, there were a few true treasures.

Of particular note is the article titled "War Medals for Sale", which is truly fantastic. It likely offers unique insights and perspectives on the war that are both engaging and thought-provoking.

Perhaps it delves into the stories behind the war medals, the individuals who earned them, and the circumstances that led to their being put up for sale. This article stands out among the others, adding a touch of excitement and interest to what might otherwise be a rather mundane collection of writings.

Overall, while the majority of the articles may not have been captivating, the presence of this one outstanding piece makes the collection worth exploring and considering.

Great collection!

It truly is an outstanding compilation of works. However, I must admit that if it weren't for the WW II section, I would have毫不犹豫地 given it a full 5-star rating.

The Asian dispatches, unfortunately, failed to capture my interest and instead bored me to tears. It felt as if they were dragging on and on, and I could hardly wait to move on to the next part.

Thankfully, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of "The Christmas Trip" story. This particular piece was an absolute gem and well worth the price of the entire book.

In fact, it was one of the best Hemingway pieces I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The way he weaves the story, creates the characters, and builds the atmosphere is simply masterful.

Overall, despite the disappointment of the Asian dispatches, this collection still has its merits, especially with the brilliance of "The Christmas Trip" shining through.