Yesterdays with Authors

"Yesterdays with Authors" by James Thomas Fields is a memoir where the author shares his memories and experiences with famous writers. Fields, a publisher and bookseller, recounts his friendships with literary giants such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Charles Dickens, and William Makepeace Thackeray. The book provides a peek into these authors' lives, their creative routines, and the dynamic literary scene of the 1800s. Fields starts by talking about the joy he felt from knowing these talented people and watching their work. He describes portraits that remind him of their personalities and contributions to literature. The early portion refers to his interactions with authors, adding historical information and showing their effect on him. The writing style is friendly and inviting, mixing literary history with personal stories and setting the stage for examining these influential authors' legacies.