The Letters of Cole Porter

The Letters of Cole Porter presents the correspondence of the legendary American composer and songwriter spanning from 1918 to 1964. This collection features over 300 letters between Porter and his friends, family members, collaborators, and business associates. The book organizes Porter's letters chronologically, documenting his professional rise from Yale student to Broadway and Hollywood success. Through personal exchanges and business communications, readers gain insight into Porter's creative process, his working relationships, and the development of his most famous works. The annotations and commentary by editor Cliff Eisen provide historical context and biographical details that connect the letters into a cohesive narrative. Photographs and reproductions of original documents complement the written materials throughout the volume. These collected letters reveal the complex personality behind Porter's public persona and illuminate the intersection of art, commerce, and personal life in twentieth-century American musical theater. The correspondence captures both the glamour and challenges of creating entertainment during Broadway's golden age.

Readers consistently note the depth of research and comprehensive collection of Porter's personal correspondence spanning his entire life. The detailed annotations and historical context provided by editor Cliff Eisen help illuminate Porter's relationships and creative process. Liked: - Original source material reveals Porter's wit and personality - Includes rare letters between Porter and his wife Linda - High-quality photo reproductions - Thorough index and references Disliked: - Some readers found the academic tone dry - Large portions focus on business correspondence and contracts - High price point ($50+) limits accessibility - Physical size and weight make casual reading difficult Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (21 reviews) Goodreads: 4.4/5 (15 ratings) "A goldmine for Porter fans and music historians" - Library Journal reviewer "The annotations can overwhelm the actual letters" - Goodreads reviewer "Worth it for the intimate glimpses into his songwriting process" - Amazon reviewer

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🎵 Cole Porter wrote over 800 songs during his career, and this collection of letters provides intimate details about the creation of classics like "Night and Day" and "I Get a Kick Out of You" 🎭 Despite suffering a devastating horseback riding accident in 1937 that left him partially disabled, Porter's letters reveal he continued composing prolifically, often working from his bed 📝 The book includes correspondence spanning five decades (1920s-1960s), offering unique glimpses into Porter's relationships with entertainment icons like Irving Berlin, Ethel Merman, and Fred Astaire 💑 Letters to his wife Linda demonstrate their complex relationship - while Porter was openly gay in his private life, their marriage was one of deep friendship and mutual support that lasted until her death in 1954 🌟 Many of the letters detail Porter's experiences in Paris during the 1920s, where he maintained a lavish apartment and threw legendary parties attended by artists, musicians, and members of European nobility