What readers are saying…
“Mel Yoken’s book A History of Letters harkens back to a pre-electronic era when letter writing was a principal and often personal means of correspondence. The book contains over 90 responses to his queries, many of which are exquisite, insightful, and often surprising. He not only asked questions but also shared his own views on language learning and experience regarding French language and literature. Each letter was an individual effort and focused on recipients’ work, aspirations, and influences. Several letters he received were short, generalized statements but others expressed their work and interests with detail. Some even asked about Mel’s professional writings. The collection is a fascinating look into the personal ideas and, especially, the major influences in the success of each of Mel’s respondents and, in addition, gives the reader a closer view of the thoughts and reflections of a most distinguished gathering.”
J.P. Berwald
Professor Emeritus of French Language and Literature, Linguist, and Translator
The University of Massachusetts Amherst
“Imagine a day brightened by insights into the brilliant — and often unexpected — thoughts and opinions of more than eighty noteworthy persons of the 20th and 21st centuries. Dr. Mel Yoken’s book brings these familiar personalities from all walks of life into our home bookshelf to read about and revisit at our leisure. Some comments truly catch us by surprise!”
J. Felsman
Former student of Dr. Yoken
“As a letter writer myself, I know how wonderful it is to be able to write my innermost thoughts and feelings to someone who wants to know me better… and even more so to be asked to answer thought-provoking questions about my life or my work. Dr. Yoken has not only inspired these writers…from a wide range of careers… to answer his letters, but he has the marvelous gift of being able to ask the right questions… the questions that people seem to enjoy answering. This book is a treat to read!”
Laura L. Dell, M.Ed.
Author, Linguist, Humanist
“. . . In a world where technology is replacing the art of thoughtful writing, gleeful exchanges, and the sharing of personal time, which has gained incredible value, Mel, a friend, and mentor, has once again delivered on a promise he made to himself, but for the benefit of others.
SOCO Magazine
A History of Letters: Memorable Quotes from a Moribund Art is not just a perfect gift this holiday season; it is a must-have for every library.”
December 2022
“Dr. Yoken’s most recent book, A History of Lettters, is a bona fide treasure for it offers the reader insight into the thinking, the personalities and the hearts of some of the most notable figures of the 20th and 21st centuries.”
John Twomey, Ph.D.
Chancellor Professor Emeritus of Spanish Language and Literature
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
“What a lovely collection of personal letters and memories that Professor Yoken has shared in his new book. It struck me that at such a young age he began reaching out to leaders, artists, professionals and entertainers to learn from them and gather advice for his own life and career. Such verve, spunk and intellectual curiosity!”
Laura Douglas, Ph.D.
President of Bristol Community College
“In today’s world, I am frightened by the rancor between people and institutions occurring on all levels. I have always realized that the actual act of writing a letter is a causative agent of deeper thought and civility. By retarding the communicating process, physically writing produces a more thorough analysis of our thoughts and control of our emotions.”
Glen Chandler
Philosopher
“. . . this passion took off while he was a graduate student at Brown University in the 1960s. He said that in addition to asking his professors questions about the readings, he would write to the authors he was studying in order to get some clarification on their works. . . .
Christopher Shea
. . . What Yoken said he appreciates the most about the letters is how earnest people tend to be when they write.
“People confess,” he said. “They bring joy, they bring consolation. . . .”
Editor, DartmouthWeek
“In an age where handwritten letters are a lost art, Mel Yoken, in his book A History of Letters, reminds us of what we have lost, people from various backgrounds sharing their lives and often divulging thoughts they have never before expressed. . . .”
Pauline Perkins
Philosopher
“Professor Mel Yoken (Chancellor Emeritus) has gifted us with a compendium the likes of which we are probably never to see reiterated. The letters he has compiled for decades are from a catholicity of celebrities, authors, stellar scientists and other notables over a span of many momentous years.
Marion D. S. Dreyfus
Key to their value to us, additionally, aside from the pleasure of gaining personal insight into the minds of these rarified notables and select individuals, is the perhaps sad knowledge that social platforms today are temporary, evanescent—hardly the stuff of cherished retention. Who takes pen or typewriter –or computer, even– to write and mail an actual epistolary greeting? It is fast becoming a lost art, taking with it as it rounds the generational corner a certain elegance and delectable gravitas.
Here, then, are the genteel relics and remarkable from-the-hand notations and responses of people whose statements and bons mots will not in the future make use of the gallant post to share their thoughts.
That is in itself an archival thought–and a summary hors d’oeuvres to
opening and enjoying the riches to be found herein.”
Jounalist, Poet, Graphic Artist
“I’ve loved writing and receiving letters since I was a kid. My late mother, Madeline, saved nearly a thousand family missives. But what a miniscule number compared to my friend, Mel, who probably writes that many in a year!
Dr. George M. Goodwin
Having interviewed many prominent artists, art collectors, and architects, I have some sense of the difficulties dealing with VIPs. Possessing even a fraction of Mel’s grace, wit, and charm would have made my task so much easier! I believe that in French it’s called savoir faire!”
Author, Humanitarian, Historian
“. . . It is truly amazing to read the litany of names indexed in its beginning. I’ve already thumbed through several of the letters (one of my favorites so far is Roger Mudd’s: “I am in good health with assistance from Tylenol and bourbon.” The combination must’ve worked; he lived well into his 90s 😉).
Steve Connulty
It truly is a literary album of our 20th and 21st centuries’ world culture, and [Dr. Yoken] should be most proud of both having connected with these historical icons and having the foresight to keep and share these priceless letters with all of us. . . .
. . . thank you for including translations for those finely crafted French letters that unfortunately remain beyond the reach of someone who hasn’t been able to recapture his limited command of the language from high school! . . .”
President, Paul & Dixon
Mel Yoken 