John Steinbeck called him a "Giant of American Letters". Despite ongoing attacks on his literary reputation, Steinbeck's works continue to sell well and he is widely taught in American and British schools as a bridge to more complex literature. Works such as "Of Mice and Men" are short and easy to read, and compassionately illustrate universal themes that are still relevant in the 21st century. Steinbeck grew up in California's Salinas Valley, a culturally diverse place with a rich migratory and immigrant history. This upbringing imparted a regionalistic flavor to his writing, giving many of his works a distinct sense of place.
John Harris (author) John Harris (author) John Harris (born 1949) is an American author, best known for Numerican Nation: A Self Portrait, in which he chronicles the first thirty years of his life and his views on United States politics from the perspective of the descendants of slavery. Harris was born in Camden, South Carolina. He moved to Mount Vernon, New York in 1958. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School, then continued on to Central Connecticut State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He later earned his M.S. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Hartford. He is