Letters of Note

Letters of Note compiles 125 letters written by historical figures, celebrities, and everyday people across multiple centuries. The letters are presented with context about their writers and recipients, along with images of many original documents. The collection includes correspondence from politicians, musicians, authors, scientists, and others during moments of personal and historical significance. Writers range from Queen Elizabeth II to Kurt Vonnegut, with letters documenting events from wartime experiences to artistic collaborations. The letters cover themes of love, war, discovery, creativity, loss, and human connection as captured in personal written exchanges. The book explores how letter-writing served as a vital form of communication and self-expression before modern technology, preserving intimate glimpses into both major historical moments and private lives.

Readers highlight the diversity of letters and emotional impact, from humorous exchanges to profound historical moments. Many note the high production quality and beautiful presentation of the physical book. Likes: - Personal glimpses into historical figures' private thoughts - Mix of famous and lesser-known correspondences - Quality photographs and reproductions - Brief, engaging contextual notes for each letter - Functions well as a coffee table book for casual reading Dislikes: - Some letters feel less impactful than others - Price point considered high by some readers - Physical size makes it unwieldy to read in bed - A few readers wanted more contemporary letters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Sample review: "Each letter is a tiny window into someone's life at a specific moment. Some made me laugh, others brought tears." - Goodreads reviewer Many readers report reading the book in small segments rather than straight through, treating it as a collection to revisit periodically.

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📝 Each letter in the collection was carefully selected from over 125,000 pieces of correspondence examined by Shaun Usher during his research. 🌍 The book spawned a global literary and art project, with live events featuring celebrities reading selected letters held in venues like London's Freemasons' Hall and Sydney Opera House. 📚 Before becoming a book, "Letters of Note" began as a blog in 2009 that quickly gained millions of followers and became one of the internet's most widely shared literary sites. ✉️ The collection includes a letter from Queen Elizabeth II describing how she made pancakes with President Eisenhower at Balmoral Castle, along with the recipe she used. 🎭 Among the diverse correspondences, there's a job application from Leonardo da Vinci, Iggy Pop's advice to a young fan, and Gandhi's letter to Hitler pleading for peace.