This has always been a difficult subject for me. I am torn between feeling guilt for having read someone's private letters (Hemingway stated in writing that he never wanted his letters published.) and feeling absolute elation that we, the reading public, have access to these important literary and historical documents.

Hemingway's letters are simply magnificent and I consider myself a better person after having read them. The letters truly show that this man was a genius, ahead of his time in so many ways. Some letters show that he was a compassionate and caring man. Other letters show that he could be terribly insensitive, vulgar and even brutal. But his criticisms are well-founded and the manner in which he argues his case is extraordinary.

Ernest Hemingway: Selected Letters edited by Carlos Baker contains close to 600 letters Hemingway wrote between the years of 1917-1961. The letters are filled with famous insights that only could have come from the mind of Ernest Hemingway. It is a priceless, timeless collection in my opinion and Hemingway's commentary will stay with you for a lifetime. The book was published in 1981.

In 2002, it was announced that a project had begun to publish the complete letters of Ernest Hemingway. Needless to say, such an undertaking is monumental and I commend all of the Hemingway scholars involved in the effort.