To the Letter
A Curious History of Correspondence
(Author) Simon GarfieldEvery letter contains a miniature story, and here are some of the greatest. From Oscar Wilde's unconventional method of using the mail to cycling enthusiast Reginald Bray's quest to post himself, Simon Garfield uncovers a host of stories that capture the enchantment of this irreplaceable art (with a supporting cast including Pliny the Younger, Ted Hughes, Virginia Woolf, Napoleon Bonaparte, Lewis Carroll, Jane Austen, David Foster Wallace and the Little Red-Haired Girl). There is also a brief history of the letter-writing guide, with instructions on when and when not to send fish as a wedding gift. And as these accounts unfold, so does the tale of a compelling wartime correspondence that shows how the simplest of letters can change the course of a life.
Simon Garfield
Simon Garfield is a British journalist and non-fiction author known for his engaging and accessible writing style. He has written numerous books on a wide range of topics, including history, popular culture, and technology. Some of his most notable works include "Just My Type: A Book About Fonts," "On the Map: A Mind-Expanding Exploration of the Way the World Looks," and "Timekeepers: How the World Became Obsessed with Time."
Garfield's works are characterized by their meticulous research, wit, and ability to make complex subjects understandable and entertaining for a general audience. His contributions to literature include shedding light on overlooked aspects of everyday life and history, as well as challenging readers to think differently about the world around them.
One of Garfield's most famous works is "Just My Type," which explores the history and impact of typography on society and culture. This book has been praised for its insight into a seemingly mundane subject and for making readers appreciate the significance of fonts in our daily lives. Garfield's work has had a lasting impact on the non-fiction genre, inspiring readers to see the world in a new light and sparking a renewed interest in topics that may have been previously overlooked.
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