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.