100 Letters That Changed the World

The written word has the power to inspire, astonish, and entertain, as this collection of 100 letters that changed history will show. Ordered chronologically, the letters range from ink-inscribed tablets that vividly describe life in the Roman Empire to remarkable last wills and testaments, passionate outpourings of love and despair, and succinct notes with deadly consequences.

Entries include:

• A job application from Leonardo da Vinci, with barely a mention of his artistic talents.
• Henry VIII's love letters to Anne Boleyn, which eventually led to the dissolution of the monasteries.
• The scrawled note that brought about Oscar Wilde's downfall.
• Emile Zola's "J'accuse!" open letter, in support of an alleged spy and against anti-Semitism.
• Beatrix Potter's correspondence with a friend's son that introduced the character of Peter Rabbit.
• A last letter from the Titanic.
• Nelson Mandela's ultimatum to the South African president.