Delve into the lives and work of some of the world’s great writers with this intriguing collection of correspondence.

There is much to discover in this illustrated compendium of letters written by great novelists, poets, playwrights and essayists, from Cervantes to the present day.

One hundred letters and notes from Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Jack Kerouac and Chinua Achebe among many others are reproduced, together with a transcript of the correspondence and background details which provide their context. Arranged thematically, the book contains personal musings on love, happiness, work, daily life, money, politics, travel and the creative process.

For lovers of literature, these rare documents provide fascinating insights into writers' daily lives, relationships and work. In the era of SMS, email and instant message, Writers' Letters reminds us of the treasures to be found in a simple letter.