Gift of a Letter: Giving the Gift of Ourselves-- Add Richness and Grace to Your Life Through the Art of Letter-writing [Paperback]

Alexandra Stoddard (Author), John Burgoyne (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1991

This enchanting book is dedicated to one of the most intimate and touching of human experiences -- the letter. With charm, grace, and enthusiasm, Alexandra Stoddard describes the art and the pleasure of writing letters and the surprising joy it can bring to writer and recipient alike. A letter that takes only a few minutes to write may be treasured for years. Its contents are a true expression of heart, mind, and spirit. Brimming with anecdotes and ways to bring letters into your life, Gift of a Letter inspires and satisfies.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Interior designer Stoddard ( Styles for Living ) here recommends writing letters as a rewarding way of keeping in touch with relatives and friends instead of relying on the ubiquitous telephone. She describes her own satisfactions as a devotee of the neglected practice, but not everyone will embrace her tips on personalizing one's letters, which include writing with colored inkswith a $500 fountain pen, perhaps?/perhaps;she does suggest bying a proper fountain pen, meaning expensive.gs , using engraved stationery and monogrammed notes, inserting "special treasures" such as a pressed flower. On the other hand, Stoddard bolsters her arguments in favor of letter-writing with quotes from Edith Wharton, Colette and Samuel Johnson, among others who made an art of correspondence. And few readers will disagree with the author's main point: it is a pleasure to receive letters and worth the effort to write them.she doesn't have my semi-literate friends apparently.gs
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Author of 27 books, Alexandra Stoddard is sought after as a speaker on the art of living the good life. She has inspired millions of listeners and readers with such books as Things I Want My Daughters to Know, Choosing Happiness, You Are Your Choices, and Time Alive. A mother and grandmother herself, she lives in Stonington Village, Connecticut, with her husband, Peter Brown.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Dell Publishing Group, Inc.; 1st edition (November 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380714647
• ISBN-13: 978-0380714643
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,083,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author of 27 books, Alexandra Stoddard is sought after as a speaker on the art of living the good life. She has inspired millions of listeners and readers with such books as Things I Want My Daughters to Know, Choosing Happiness, You Are Your Choices, and Time Alive. A mother and grandmother herself, she lives in Stonington Village, Connecticut, with her husband, Peter Brown.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The art of letter writing., December 27, 2001

By 

Britt Arnhild Lindland (Norway) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gift of a Letter: Giving the Gift of Ourselves-- Add Richness and Grace to Your Life Through the Art of Letter-writing (Paperback)

Gift of a Letter was recommened to me by a couple of online friends. I have been a letter writer all my life, and couldn't resist buying the book. And my, I'm so glad I did. The book is such a pleasure to read, from start to end, about the pure joy of writing and recieving letters.
I took the book with me on one of my business travels, started to read it on the plane, could hardly put it down during the meetings I had to attend to, and read again at the hotel. The first thing I did next morning was to find a stationary shop where I could buy paper, envelopes, cards, new pens and so on, then (after more meetings) I sat down in the nearest coffeeshop to write letters.

The art of letter writing is almost forgotten today, it seems so much easier to make a call, or write an SMS or an e-mail. But nothing can be compared to the joy and pleasue of finding a real letter in your mail box.

For Alexandra Stoddard letterwriting is not just letters to your mother when you are away, letters to your boyfriend or letters to oversea friends. What about a thank you letter to a good friend after a nice party, or a letter to an old teacher, or an old friend. The book has given me so many new ideas of whom to write, and what to write about. The only negative thing I can think of is that the book talks about letters as something you can write in a few minutes, so lack of time is no excuse. This is only partly true. For me letters are also the letters you spend hours to write, hours because there are so many things to tell a close friend, hours because you just want to spend of your time with your penpal.

Though I have been an avid letter writer since I was a little girl, this book has opened up a new world for me when it comes to.....yes, you're right ....letter writing. I have to book on my desk and know I will read it again and again, and I will write letters as long as my hands and my eyes allow me. And I will keep on writing letters every day, spending all my extra money on stamps.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to inspire the forgotten art of letter writing., March 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Gift of a Letter: Giving the Gift of Ourselves-- Add Richness and Grace to Your Life Through the Art of Letter-writing (Paperback)

This book was a great inspiration for me to return to letter writing in the era of email. Nothing brightens a persons day more than a hand written letter that can be read over and over again. I highly recommend this book

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and encouraging, June 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Gift of a Letter: Giving the Gift of Ourselves-- Add Richness and Grace to Your Life Through the Art of Letter-writing (Paperback)

I read this book several years ago, shortly after its release in hardcover. Always an avid letterwriter, I found in this book several reasons to remain one in the electronic age. I recently gave a copy of the paperback version to a friend, and it changed his way of looking at letterwriting. He sent me a letter to thank me for it - something he could more easily have done in person or over the phone, as he only lives across town from me. The only complaint I have is the myriad of references to sources for letterwriting accessories and stationery which either sell exorbitantly priced goods or are in far-flung locations the average reader will not likely visit. Even this would have been all right if it had been balanced with more references to mainstream sources. Overall, however, a marvelous read.