“Journalism is the first thing that a dictator controls.”

- John Steinbeck in a letter to the Syndicated Newspaper Editors written from Sag Harbor in April 1956

Fewer People Are Reading for Fun, Study Finds

We have some recommendations that could change their minds.

“this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.”

east of eden

A packed room at the @steinbeckcenter.bsky.social in #Salinas this morning is here to celebrate a big announcement: CSUMB is selling this important downtown property to two nonprofits, Hartnell College Foundation and the National Steinbeck Center.

We know some people who re-read it every year.

It’s still the same awesome story, and incredibly relevant for our times.

Don’t miss the Netflix series coming out in due time.

Steinbeck’s dog Charley says, “woof!”

That’s one way of putting it!

From our archivist:

We are so excited about this new book!

Agree.

Steinbeck also talked about planned obsolescence in Sea of Cortez.

You win!

Come on out and visit us at the Steinbeck Center!

“What Steinbeck wrote and Burgess Meredith read aloud that warm spring day speaks loudly to us Americans today.”

Also, would love to have you come and read, or be a guest on our upcoming podcast.

Eager to read it, and eager to get that anthology into our bookstore. CC: @emptywrites.bsky.social

We’ll have to check with our archivist on that one and get back to you!

True. Mack and the boys would be very different characters.

An original abstract artwork of wildflowers. Created using acrylics on board.

"Men do change, and change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass." - John Steinbeck

Art my own.

#Wildflowers #OriginalArt #Nature

Sea of Cortez is the theme of our Steinbeck Festival this year. Coming this September!

The First and Final Task John Steinbeck reminds us that only fear is frightful, and a memorial to Harry Hopkins is chiseled in the most enduring material known: The Idea

Steinbeck's memorial to Harry Hopkins speaks to us today:

"Is the idea for which two brave men stood worth preserving and fighting for? Or with their departure have we become weak and cowardly? Do we remember their first rule—that only fear is frightful?"

lastcampaign.substack.com/p/the-first-...

Defying Trump, National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet is still at work The president said he had fired the museum leader — setting up a standoff between the White House and the Smithsonian.

Pro tip: Don’t mess with museum directors.

We serve them at our Steinbeck Festival.

Wow, that is so cool. Love that. DM us if you are ever in town, and we’ll give you VIP treatment in exchange for stories.

Be still my beating heart! Steinbeck needs to be put back in the national conversation asap.

We’re working on it. If you’d like to support us, you can become a member here:

You can read a touching tribute to John Steinbeck by Burgess Meredith from our Steinbeck Festival at archive.org: archive.org/details/csal...