From one of our most iconic and influential writers: twelve pieces that offer an illuminating glimpse into the mind and process of a legendary figure. These essays from 1968 to 2000, which have not been gathered together until now, showcase Joan Didions incisive reporting, her empathetic gaze, and her insights on writing. From her admiration for Hemingways sentences to her acknowledgment that Martha Stewarts story is one "that has historically encouraged women in this country, even as it has threatened men," these pieces are acutely and brilliantly observed. This timeless collection of Didions mostly early writing reveals what would become her subjects, including the press, politics, California robber barons, women, the act of writing, and her own self-doubt. Each piece is classic Didion: sharp, bemused, and stunningly prescient.