Description

Letters of Note, the book based on the beloved website of the same name, became an instant classic on publication in 2013, selling hundreds of thousands of copies. This new edition sees the collection of the world’s most entertaining, inspiring and unusual letters updated with fourteen riveting new missives and a new introduction from curator Shaun Usher.

From Virginia Woolf’s heart-breaking suicide letter to Queen Elizabeth II’s recipe for drop scones sent to President Eisenhower; from the first recorded use of the expression ‘OMG’ in a letter to Winston Churchill, to Gandhi’s appeal for calm to Hitler; and from Iggy Pop’s beautiful letter of advice to a troubled young fan, to Leonardo da Vinci’s remarkable job application letter, Letters of Note is a celebration of the power of written correspondence which captures the humour, seriousness, sadness and brilliance that make up all of our lives.

Publisher Review

This book was brilliant in written form and it’s even better in audio, with a cast of famous voices elevating hilarious, horrifying and moving historical epistles . . . An eclectic treasure trove of letters . . . The letters are variously life-affirming, devastating, wilfully mundane, subtly acidic and sometimes downright creepy * * Guardian * * Quite literally the most enjoyable volume it is possible to imagine. Every page is a marvel * * Spectator * * Addictive, like dipping into a bag of variously tempting assorted candies, knowing that the next one will always bring surprise and pleasure * * New Yorker * * A gloriously presented compilation * * Financial Times * * The literary equivalent of a box of chocolates – bite-sized and pure addictive pleasure . . . The result is beautifully produced, with photographs and colour facsimiles of much of the correspondence. A gorgeous Christmas present * * Sunday Times * * It is hard to see how Letters Of Note could ever be surpassed * * Mail on Sunday * * Funny, tragic, brilliantly incisive, historic, lyrical, romantic and studiedly offensive, this stupendous compendium of letters ancient and modern is my book of the year. You will never tire of it — Stephen Fry It is inspiring, and often sad, funny, and occasionally quite surreal * * GQ * * A wonderful collection of magical missives . . . It’ll have you reaching for pen and paper * * Evening Standard * * As a guide to letters that deserve a wider readership, Usher’s compilation is hard to beat * * Scotland on Sunday * *