Fabulous digest of biographical essays about writers circa 1900-1943. Many of the essays are drafted in part by the authors being discussed. Despite this, it is not hagiography. Covers non-fiction and fiction writers, high brow and low brow. Each essay includes a photo and interesting anecdotes. Even gives the correct pronunciation of last names. This is a book to dip in to because its 1200 pages long.

It was fascinating to read about the younger authors discussed who were heralded as important. Modern research bears out some of these opinions. However, some don't even have a Wikipedia page--the true sign of lasting fame today!

The main author Kunitz also edited the earlier book "Living Authors" under the pen name Dilly Tant. That is also a interesting read.