Shaun Usher is the founder of the blog-based archives Letters of Note and Lists of Note, which have inspired books of the same name edited by him. He lives in the UK.
Holiday Gift Guide pick "Take a break from email and text messaging
and dive into this impressive collection of letters instead.
History lovers and bibliophiles alike will relish poring through
125 letters written by authors, scientists, celebrities, and
ordinary people. Like it's 2014 predecessor, each entry includes a
replica of the letter in its original form, a transcription (if
necessary), and background information to provide context.
Highlights include a British professor's cover letter to Albus
Dumbledore, requesting to be considered for the position of Defense
of the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry (and the kind rejection from J.K. Rowling, in character as
Professor Dumbledore), a moving letter from Abraham Lincoln to a
young girl whose father was killed in the Civil War, and David
Bowie's response to his first piece of American fan mail. Relive
history with your loved ones with this endlessly entertaining
compilation."
-Real Simple
Starred Review"This follow up to 2014's collection offers newcomers
and fans of the series another outstanding compendium of
correspondence from celebrities, U.S. presidents, and ordinary
citizens. Like its predecessor, each entry includes replicate of
the letter in its original form next to a transcription of it
content as well as contextual information. The breadth of the
collection is impressive all sorts of correspondences, ranging from
record producer Steve Albini's 1992 letter to the members of the
band Nirvana about their upcoming collaboration on the In Utero
album to Abraham Lincoln's 1862 touching letter to a young girl
whose father was killed in the Civil War. The letters written by
ordinary people are just as noteworthy: an educated slave's
farewell letter to his wife after they were separated by after he
was sold in 1858 and a soldier's firsthand account of the Christmas
truce between British and German troops in 1914 are just some of
the heartwrenching inclusions. Happily, there are just as many
lighthearted entries as well: there's a University of Sussex
professor's cheeky cover letter for the Defence Against the Dark
Arts teaching post at Hogwarts, Ayn Rand's 1966 letter to the
editor of Cat Fancy magazine, and an illustrated story Beatrix
Potter sent to the five-year-old son of her friend and former
governess. This fantastic collection of over 125 letters is
endlessly entertaining."
-Publishers Weekly
"Beautifully designed and best dipped into, it is engaging,
eclectic, and geekily and gleefully enthusiastic. First class."
-Sunday Times (UK)
"Books promise pleasure, too, as I've been reminded within the
pages of "Letters of Note, Volume 2," a new follow-up to Shaun
Usher's 2014 collection of wise, funny and poignant letters from
around the world and throughout the ages."
-The Advocate
"Funny, shocking and poignant, More Letters of Note must be one of
the most entertaining books of the year."
-Financial Times (UK)
"Nothing, the book suggests (and proves), can give us such instant,
vivid and intimate glimpses into such a wide range of emotions as
letters do. On virtually every page, we're plunged deep into the
heart of the writer, whether joyfully, painfully or, quite often,
disconcertingly"
-The Daily Mail Online (UK)
"Spellbinding"
-Absolutely Magazine
"The books in this series are always of the highest quality, both
in content and in production and materials. These are the kinds of
books that will live on your bookshelf for the rest of your life,
and get passed down to your history- and culture-loving heirs. They
are some of the most approachable ways to learn about history and
culture, and really pull at your emotions, lifting your spirits,
making you laugh, or creating a somber tone."
-GeekDad
"This book is a serious bit of kit...if you don't find at least
something that interests you in this book you are not a proper
human being . (And unless you find almost all of it gripping I
can't imagine having a conversation with you.)"
-Spectator
Named one of The 29 Most Stunning Coffee Table Books of The Last
Five Years
-Refinery29
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