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Revisiting the remarkable years that produced Steinbeck's greatest literary achievements.

John Steinbeck: The Years of Greatness, 1936–1939, edited by Tetsumaro Hayashi, offers a compelling scholarly exploration of the brief but extraordinary period during which John Steinbeck produced some of the most influential works in American literary history. Drawn from papers presented at the Third International Steinbeck Congress, this collection of essays examines the creative, intellectual, and social forces that shaped Steinbeck's remarkable achievements during the late 1930s.

The contributors investigate Steinbeck's major works of the period, including In Dubious Battle, Of Mice and Men, and The Grapes of Wrath, situating them within the social and economic realities of the Great Depression and the evolving landscape of twentieth-century American literature. Particular attention is given to Steinbeck's portrayal of labor, migration, community, social justice, and the experiences of working-class Americans. The volume also presents innovative studies of female characters and relationships in Steinbeck's fiction, drawing on newly available research materials and correspondence to illuminate previously overlooked dimensions of his work.

By combining historical context, literary analysis, and fresh critical perspectives, this collection deepens appreciation for Steinbeck's artistry and enduring cultural significance. An essential resource for scholars and students alike, it offers valuable insights into the years that established Steinbeck as one of America's most important and widely studied authors.

A unique collection of letters from a member of the YWCA on her first world tour in the 1930s, Letters from Clara tells one woman’s story of adventure and danger on the eve of World War II. Despite limited financial means, Clara Pagel was richly resourceful and used the YWCA network to find work and places to live in the Far East, along the way meeting other women also working their way around the world. As Clara described in letters to her YWCA friends back home, her sojourn was filled with museums and world-famous landmarks, as well as typhoons, bombings, and earthquakes. These experiences are described in over one hundred pages of letters, annotated throughout by Janet Newman. Upon Clara’s return to the United States in 1939, she enrolled at the University of Chicago and earned an MBA at the age of forty-six. This is the story of a remarkable woman on an unexpected but fulfilling journey to learn about the world and herself.