This engaging book presents a series of word portraits by and about some of the notable figures of our time. In each chapter, a well-known person from the world of arts and letters recalls a memorable encounter with another famous individual who is no longer living—for example, Isaiah Berlin on Edmund Wilson, John Hersey on Sinclair Lewis, Maury Yeston on Alan Jay Lerner. These reminiscences offer wonderful glimpses into the lives and spirits of vital creative minds. Sometimes moving, sometimes whimsical, always insightful, they are a delight to read.