This is an example of a concern that people should have about the loss of history that computers are going to present in terms of the future. Today we keep our photos and letters hidden behind a password in a computer. It's the throw away society now. People dispose of computers when the next new device hits the shelves. How many future attics, trunks, drawers and storage boxes are going to hold all the unexpected secrets, love letters, historic memorabilia, pictures and documents that have revealed so much more than we ever knew about the past?

Collections of letters from an author of historical figure are somewhat troubling to me. On the one hand, they can give you great insight into the person behind thepublic personna; but, on the other hand, reading seems almost like voyeurism. It seems less so when the author allows the publication of their letters, obviously. Of course, no one would be interested if they were of the more mundane variety, "Your mother sends her love. I just finished the new book; lots of rewrites to look forward to when the publisher reads it. I took the cat to the vet for his shots. I won another pulitzer. Hope you are feeling fine. Love, Dad."