"A focused collection of the political and moral writings and speeches by the Nobel laureate. After a fresh foreword by Camus scholar Alice Kaplan, the compilation begins with four letters Camus published during World War II . The longest piece is "Reflections on the Guillotine" (1957), which describes and condemns capital punishment, employing logic, passion, grim detail, and skillful prose . In the first [Nobel Speech], Camus is humble and grateful and talks passionately about the significance of his art in his life. The second explores the idea of realism in literature--and how absolute realism is impossible . The author ends by saying that truth should be the aim of the artist. Throughout, Camus' talent, humor, and passion glisten like rare jewels." -- Kirkus Reviews.