[Discusses Needham as a critic, critics in general and use of man's unconscious in his current series of books, particularly [ To a God Unknown ].]

[Discusses writing the final draft of a novel [ In Dubious Battle ], the effect of the loss of one sense upon the others, and Covici-Friede's interest in his work; briefly discusses Needham's deafness, [Ludvig van] Beethoven , having lived in Glendale , Tortilla Flat , [Pascal] Covici , [Robert Oleson] Ballou , Paul Jordan-Smith , [William] Heineman publishing To a God Unknown , shorts published in The North American Review and English magazines, Cup of Gold , his work requiring "abolish[ing] every vestige of ego," places he would show him were Needham to visit, a plan of work which would require remaking the novel and appreciation for his interest in his work; mentions Pacific Grove , New York City , London , Mexico , Paradise Lost , Lucifer and Monterey . ]

[Discusses a visit to Mexico City , a dog in Tamazunchale , beggars, Gerald Fitzgerald having some manuscripts Jake Luther wants to print and his desire that Luther get some better things from McIntosh Otis [Literary Agency] ; briefly discusses the death of his father, John Ernst Steinbeck and a book [ In Dubious Battle ]; mentions Puebla , Pacific Grove , Paseo de la Reforma , Chapultepec and New York City . ]

[Discusses a trip to Mexico ; briefly discusses Crosby's liking "that book," Crosby's illness, lack of a picture, not knowing Texas but liking New Mexico , a mountain rainstorm and an upcoming ceremony at the pyramids of Teotihuacan ; mentions Chapultepec . ]

[Discusses a forwarded manuscript, needed house repairs, recent return from a trip [to Mexico ] and a new book [ In Dubious Battle ].]

[Discusses a "tampered" review, a review in The Worker , [ Carol Henning Steinbeck 's ] influenza, changes to the house, a new book [ In Dubious Battle ] and his current work [ Of Mice and Men ].]

[Discusses writing for the theater, a book [ In Dubious Battle, ], [ Tortilla Flat ], his current work [ Of Mice and Men ], Carol Henning Steinbeck 's building a new house in Los Gatos , a trip to collect marine specimen, Needham as a reviewer and death of the novel; mentions Enseneda, California , Los Angeles and Santa Monica . ]

[Discusses a review by Needham, "this blasted book" [ The Grapes of Wrath ] and the rapid passing of time.]

[Discusses [Edgard] Varese 's interest in his work from a musical standpoint and the Grapes of Wrath as a "symphony"; briefly discusses where he and Armitage first met and his health; mentions Edward [Henry] Weston , Ritchie Lovejoy , Eagle Rock and The Viking Press . ]

[Discusses reviews by Needham and Larry [ Lawrence Clark Powell ] in [ Black & White ], a back injury, [ Harry Thornton] Moore 's account of his work and Will Geer 's interest in Ella Winter ; mentions Hollywood . ]

[Discusses critics "beginning to work me over," a "nightmarish year," his pictures [ Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath ] and preparation for next year's work, Black & White . ]

[Discusses not wanting his letter printed, a hectic life and the war [World War II].]

[Discusses biology as an escape from the "insane" world of men, whom he compares to lemmings; sees [World War II] as a species pattern not unlike bees; briefly discusses a trip to New York , being very busy, his defeatist attitude, avoiding politics and the "invertebrate book" [ Sea of Cortez ]; mentions [Wendall Lewis] Willkie and Norway . ]

[Discusses his refusal to do a forward to Edward [Henry] Weston 's book [ Fifty Photographs: Edward Weston ], life in Eagle Rock . ]

[Discusses some lost slips and lack of a picture.]

[Discusses the French liking for The Short Reign of Pippin IV , [Charles] de Gaulle 's upsurge causing censor problems for a proposed French movie of it and French humor versus American humor; mentions [ Isabelle Heyman Armitage ] and [World War II].]