Steinbeck and Covici

John Steinbeck's first 3 books were published by firms that disappeared during The Great Depression. Publisher Pascal Covici discovered them and decided to publish John Steinbeck. Steinbeck stayed with Covici from the 1930s until Covici's death in 1964. Their author-editor relationship was enduring, intimate and important. This was the first publication of their correspondence. The 1979 hardcover edition was highly -- and very positively -- reviewed, including in "The New York Times" and is now considered a seminal book in Steinbeck scholarship.

John Steinbeck's first three books were published by firms that disappeared during The Great Depression. Publisher Pascal Covici read them and decided to publish Steinbeck; first with his own firm, Covici-Friede, then with The Viking Press, where Covici moved, as editor. Steinbeck stayed with Covici from the 1930s until Covici's death in 1964. The hardcover edition of this book was the first publication of their correspondence. Their relationship was complex, intimate and important. Steinbeck published 22 books with Covici as editor/publisher. "Steinbeck and Covici" was highly reviewed when it was first published, including in "The New York Times," and is now considered a seminal book in Steinbeck scholarship. It is a major contribution to American literary biography. It won the book of the Year Award in Biography from the Ohioana Library Association. This book should be part of any library where any serious Steinbeck work is contemplated. Thomas Fensch has since published four additional books about Steinbeck and has lectured about Steinbeck in the U.S. and in Japan. The author has a doctorate from Syracuse University and lives outside Richmond, Va.

Thomas Fensch is the author or editor of over 30 books. He has published 5 books about Steinbeck and now has an international reputation in Steinbeck scholarship.. "Steinbeck and Covici: The Story of a Friendship" was his first Steinbeck title. He has also published books about: Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, (2) ; James Thurber (2); John Howard Griffin, author of "Black Like Me " (1); Ernest Hemingway (1); Oskar Schindler (1) and a variety of other nonfiction books. Fensch holds a doctorate from Syracuse University and lives outside Richmond, Va.