I've never read a collection of letters from cover to cover before. This book, however, was an absolute delight.

It was filled with wit, wisdom, and beautiful language. E.B. White's wry humor and his lively, thoughtful, and descriptive letters were not only individually interesting but also, when read as a whole, they chronicled an entire life and much of the twentieth century.

The experience of reading this book was a complex one. It was both comforting and warming, yet also tinged with sadness. Even the most ironic humor can't stop the passage of time.

Currently, I'm reading White's collected essays. I wish I had read both the Letters and the Essays when I was still teaching Thoreau. White's retreat to the woods was driven by a longing for a close connection to nature and the transcendent, much like Thoreau's. But the best part? White is so much funnier!

His writing style is engaging and entertaining, making his works a joy to read. I can't wait to see what else I'll discover in his essays.

The book I am reading is extremely long, and it has been taking me years to get through it. However, despite its length, I have a deep affection for it.

It has a profound impact on me as it inspires me to pen long and detailed letters to my friends and family. I find great joy in expressing my thoughts and feelings through writing, just as the book seems to do with its extensive narrative.

Even in May 2010, I am still engrossed in reading this book, and my appreciation for it has not waned. It continues to hold my attention and fuel my creativity.

I look forward to seeing what else this book has in store for me as I slowly make my way through its many pages.

This collection houses a plethora of E.B. White's letters. These letters were addressed to his wife Katharine White, who was not only the former editor of New York but also one of its founders. Additionally, they were sent to his editors at various magazines, friends, brothers, sisters, children, step-children, and grandchildren.

Once again, I admit that I'm a bit of a nerd for purchasing this book. However, I truly relish reading the letters of great authors. They provide profound insights into the lives of the authors. Moreover, on occasion, one can catch glimpses of a genius mind in action.

I just placed an order for Graham Greene's collection of letters and I'm eagerly anticipating reading it during this holiday. Oh dear, I haven't accomplished any work this morning. I'd better switch to Westlaw and conduct some research instead of indulging myself on Goodreads. Karen, it's your infectious TTP effect that has led me, Rachel, Abby, and your 20-something friends to become addicted to one another, as Rachel accurately pointed out, and now to this site.

So far very good.

The early letters may not be overly captivating, yet they offer a crucial introduction to White as an individual.

Certainly, it presents a rather one-sided perspective, as we are only reading the letters from White to others and not the other way around. However, the editor has done an excellent job of providing context without being overly intrusive.

I truly enjoy White's nonfiction reading style, and this substantial book offers abundant opportunities to relish it.

It is ideal for bedtime reading as the letters are presented in very manageable chunks.

This allows for a relaxing and enjoyable read before sleep, enabling the reader to gradually immerse themselves in White's world and thoughts.

The book serves as a wonderful collection of White's correspondence, providing insights into his life, relationships, and literary pursuits.

Overall, it is a valuable addition to any literature lover's collection.

I was really looking forward to reading this particular book about EB White. However, I just couldn't seem to get through it. The content was so dense that it became a real struggle for me to understand and keep up.

After several attempts, I finally had to admit defeat and quit for the time being. I'm hoping that I can find another book about EB White that is a bit more accessible and easier to read.

I still have a great interest in learning more about this renowned author, but I need a book that won't make me feel so overwhelmed. Maybe there's a different perspective or a more engaging writing style out there that will capture my attention and help me gain a better understanding of EB White's life and works.

I'll keep my eyes open and continue my search, hoping to discover that perfect book that will satisfy my curiosity and love for literature.

Here's a sample from this book that is simply to die for, from “The Hotel of the Total Stranger".

Mr. Volente has just arrived at the train station in Manhattan, returning for a visit after years away. He is riding in a cab toward his hotel, on a steamy summer morning.

New York is stretched in midsummer languor under her trees in her thinnest dress, idly and beautifully to the eyes of Mr. Volente, her lover. She lay this morning early in the arms of the heat, humorously and indulgently, as though, having bathed in night, she had emerged and not bothered to put anything on and had stretched out to let the air, what air there was, touch her arms and legs and shoulders and forehead, he thought, admiringly. The trucks and the sudden acceleration and the flippant horn and the rustle of countless affairs somewhat retarded by the middle-of-summer pause in everything, these were the sounds of her normal breathing (if you knew her well enough and had lived with her in this season in the long past) and her pulse, normal. It was the hour the earliest people were entering the buildings. Awnings were being cranked down already to spread the agreeable shade, the rectangles of relief sketched on the sidewalks. In every street the glimpse he caught of some door or some vestibule or some window would stir his memory and call up the recollection of something in his life that had once been.

“It was in this doorway…

“It was down that side street…

“It was in the back room of this café that…”

That was the thing about New York, it was always bringing up something out of your past, something ridiculous or lovely or glistening. Here, all around him, was unquestionably the closest written page in the book of his life; here in the city in the streets and alleys and behind the walls and in the booths and beneath the roofs and under the marquees and canopies were the scenes of the story he remembered in tranquility, however poorly constructed, however unconvincing when retold. New York is like a living, breathing entity that holds the key to Mr. Volente's past. Every corner, every building, seems to whisper secrets and memories to him. As he rides through the city, he is bombarded with a flood of emotions and reminiscences. The city's languid beauty in the summer heat only adds to the charm and allure. It is as if New York is inviting him to relive his past, to explore the nooks and crannies that hold the stories of his life.

Read the letter to Charles Mueller when E.B. was preparing for Charles' arrival to his home in Brooklin, Maine.

I've lived here in ME my whole life and have never heard of that town. It makes me curious about this specific place.

Perhaps it's a small, hidden gem that has its own unique charm and characteristics.

I can't wait to read the entire book to learn more about Brooklin, Maine, and the story that unfolds within its pages.

Maybe the author will describe the town's landscapes, its people, and the events that take place there in great detail.

Reading the book will surely give me a better understanding and appreciation of this unknown place.

I'm excited to embark on this literary journey and discover all the secrets and wonders that await me in the pages of the book.

I'm sure it will be a captivating and engaging read that will transport me to a different world.

As I wait to read the entire book, I can only imagine the possibilities and look forward to the adventure that lies ahead.

I'm confident that it will be a memorable experience that I'll cherish for a long time.

E.B. White--a bit of a dick?

That was my initial impression, which wasn't what I was exactly expecting. However, something interesting has happened. Now that he's married to K. White, he seems to be getting a lot cuter.

I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. I can't quite determine whether she is a good editor of his letters or a good editor of his personality.

Perhaps it's a combination of both. Maybe her influence has softened his edges and brought out a more endearing side of him.

I'm definitely intrigued and will continue to read more to uncover the truth.

As I delve deeper into their story, I hope to gain a better understanding of the relationship between E.B. White and K. White, and how she has had an impact on him.

Who knows what other surprises await me? Only time will tell.

So it took me nearly seven years to read this wonderful, wonderful book of letters by my favorite writer of all time.

I bought it new, as soon as I saw it at my beloved now-defunct Locust Books in Westminster. It immediately became my bedside book. However, since I rarely read in bed anymore, although I love to do so, and the reason why I don't do it more often is a puzzlement to me. As a result, it took me all these years to finally finish it.

But during the reading process, there were many occasions when I shook the entire bed (including the dogs) because I was laughing so hard. Fortunately, dogs are very patient and stoic about this. E. B. White's humor is dry, his observations are clear and simple, and he makes it all look so easy. Indeed, there are letters about Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little (personally, I am more of a Stuart fan), and his New Yorker columns. But it's the day-to-day stuff that really overwhelmed me. White is truly the master.

If you're looking for excitement, this is not the book for you. But if you love good, clean, perfect, precise writing, well, E. B. White is the man for you.

I truly adored this book to a greater extent than I had anticipated. E.B White was indeed a charming individual to engage with. He was dedicated to the fields of writing and journalism, always conducting himself in a regularly gallant, kind, and straightforward manner towards his readers, especially children. He had the perfect amount of curmudgeonly charm as well. Moreover, he seemed to be entirely supportive of his wife, who, from what is described, sounds absolutely amazing in her own right. In essence, what I'm trying to convey is that I really like this guy.

He had a unique combination of qualities that made him not only a great writer but also a wonderful person. His love for his craft and his respect for his readers shone through in his work and interactions. It's no wonder that his books have stood the test of time and continue to be beloved by generations.

I can't wait to explore more of his works and learn even more about this remarkable man.

Biographies of E.B. White and history books of the 20th century have both been written before. However, I would dare to say that it is extremely rare to find the combination of two hearts more closely intertwined and presented in an unembellished manner.

This personal correspondence that extends over the years between the 9-year-old Elwyn and the nearly 86-year-old Andy is, in my reading experience, unrivaled in its ability to capture the essence of a man and the personal consequences of the century that molded him.

With almost 700 pages, the reader's journey is long and filled with facts and people that are unfamiliar and seemingly unimportant. But when the letters come to an end and the author's life journey concludes, this reader feels a melancholic tenderness and an intimate understanding for a flawed, ordinary man. He lived a truly ordinary life but left a lasting impression because he had something to say, a talent for words, and the courage to write them down.

The pleasure of reading lies in E.B. White's natural and creative use of words, but the magic of the book lies within the content, where we witness a life transform before our eyes - real, sincere, and oh so humanly fragile. In that, we discover the heart of E.B. White and recognize our own as well.

People don't write letters like this anymore. (A deep sigh escapes).

It seems that the art of letter writing has been gradually fading away in the face of the digital age. Email has truly had a significant impact, almost to the point of destroying the traditional form of letter writing.

In the past, letters were carefully crafted, with thoughts and emotions poured onto the paper. Each word was chosen with care, and the handwriting itself added a personal touch. But now, with the convenience of email, people tend to rush through their messages, using abbreviations and shortcuts.

The beauty and charm of a handwritten letter, with its unique penmanship and the anticipation of waiting for a response, are being lost. It's a sad reality that we are moving further and further away from this wonderful form of communication.

Perhaps we should make an effort to bring back the art of letter writing, to slow down and take the time to express ourselves in a more meaningful way.