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The World's Greatest Love Letters
The World’s Greatest Love Letters contains more than one hundred love letters from history’s most passionate romantics.
“My dear Girl, I love you ever and ever without reserve. The more I have known you the more I have lov’d. In every way,—even when my jealousies have been agonies of Love; in the hottest fit I ever had, I would have died for you.” – John Keats
“All my thoughts—all passions seem now merged in that one consuming desire—the mere wish to make you comprehend—to make you see that for which there is no human voice—the unutterable fervor of my love for you.” – Edgar Allan Poe
“Mio dulce amor, accept a thousand kisses, but give me none, for they fire my blood.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
“My dear Girl, I love you ever and ever without reserve. The more I have known you the more I have lov’d. In every way,—even when my jealousies have been agonies of Love; in the hottest fit I ever had, I would have died for you.” – John Keats
“All my thoughts—all passions seem now merged in that one consuming desire—the mere wish to make you comprehend—to make you see that for which there is no human voice—the unutterable fervor of my love for you.” – Edgar Allan Poe
“Mio dulce amor, accept a thousand kisses, but give me none, for they fire my blood.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
210 pages, Hardcover
First published December 25, 2011
41 people are currently reading
935 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 16, 2020
I think this is the book. Overall it has some great love letters, especially by the end. But most of the letters were rather mehh... And it's generally the greatest love letters written by white men, with like 4 women thrown in there.
November 19, 2015
This is an amazing book that I picked up from a Valentine display table at B&N and finally got around to reading. Michael Kelahan compiled over 100 letters from famous and not so famous people in history, ranging from Heloise and Abelard ca. 1132 to the mid 1800's. Included are people from royalty, literature, music, politics, and philosophy. Among the royals are letters from Henry VIII, George IV, Henry of Navarre, Mary Queen of Scots, and Margaret of Valois. As I read, I often went to my computer to look further into the lives of these people who revealed their most personal thoughts, feelings, and emotions - many at times that they were the most vulnerable, such as Sir Walter Raleigh to his wife before his execution, "You shall now receive, my dear wife, my last words in these my last lines." Someone I was not familiar with is Sophia Dorothea, wife of George I, who exchanged letters with her lover, Swedish Count Konigsmarck. Even though he had a number of affairs and mistresses of his own, George had Konigsmarck killed and his wife imprisoned in a castle for the last 30 years of her life.
Other interesting personages included in this compilation are Napoleon, Lord Nelson, Layfayette, Byron, Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, Robert Browning, Victor Hugo, Edgar Allan Poe, and Beethoven, to name a few. Two others whom I had not heard of was playwright Thomas Otway and German poet, essayist, and radical, Heinrich Heine. Heine was born into a Jewish family and later converted to Christianity. His radical ideas as a member of a group, Young Germans, active in the early 1800's, forced him to move to France where he remained for the last 25 years of his life. It was interesting to me to find out a quote from a play written in 1821 was used after the Nazi book burning in 1933 - "Where they burn books, they will next ultimately burn people." This quote is also on the Jewish Holocaust memorial in Israel. Perhaps the most poignant leters were a series from John Keats to Fanny Brawne, who he would have hoped to marry had he not been so ill with tuberculosis.
This is a wonderful book that I gained so much from. How interesting to be able to look into the lives of these people and hear them speak through their own words! It occurs to me that with modern technology, there will be no love letters or letters at all from people of the 21st century.
Other interesting personages included in this compilation are Napoleon, Lord Nelson, Layfayette, Byron, Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, Robert Browning, Victor Hugo, Edgar Allan Poe, and Beethoven, to name a few. Two others whom I had not heard of was playwright Thomas Otway and German poet, essayist, and radical, Heinrich Heine. Heine was born into a Jewish family and later converted to Christianity. His radical ideas as a member of a group, Young Germans, active in the early 1800's, forced him to move to France where he remained for the last 25 years of his life. It was interesting to me to find out a quote from a play written in 1821 was used after the Nazi book burning in 1933 - "Where they burn books, they will next ultimately burn people." This quote is also on the Jewish Holocaust memorial in Israel. Perhaps the most poignant leters were a series from John Keats to Fanny Brawne, who he would have hoped to marry had he not been so ill with tuberculosis.
This is a wonderful book that I gained so much from. How interesting to be able to look into the lives of these people and hear them speak through their own words! It occurs to me that with modern technology, there will be no love letters or letters at all from people of the 21st century.
November 1, 2012
Confession: I'm a sap and a shameless romantic sometimes. Show me a book of love poems or love letters and I am all over it. So when I stumbled across this book, I just HAD to buy it.
I don't regret it. Naturally, I thought some of the letters were better than others. Some were absolutely heart-breaking, and some made me sort of sigh like a romantic school girl and reread the best bits a few times before moving on. I was sometimes surprised. (Napoleon's letters, especially, I didn't expect to like so much. I've always thought of him in the military capacity and never as a writer of really good love letters.)
The one thing I do wish is that there was some context with the letters. (The introduction gives some very brief back story to a few of the letter writers, but not most of them.) Some, like Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning, I'm very familiar with already. Others I'd never heard of, and I found myself wondering about their lives and how things turned out for them. Still, that's what the internet is for, eh?
I don't regret it. Naturally, I thought some of the letters were better than others. Some were absolutely heart-breaking, and some made me sort of sigh like a romantic school girl and reread the best bits a few times before moving on. I was sometimes surprised. (Napoleon's letters, especially, I didn't expect to like so much. I've always thought of him in the military capacity and never as a writer of really good love letters.)
The one thing I do wish is that there was some context with the letters. (The introduction gives some very brief back story to a few of the letter writers, but not most of them.) Some, like Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning, I'm very familiar with already. Others I'd never heard of, and I found myself wondering about their lives and how things turned out for them. Still, that's what the internet is for, eh?
December 14, 2017
So...first of, something that was readily apparent when I began reading: when they say "World" what they really mean is "White People."
And it's not just English- there's French and German, and all that, so it's not like they were trying to avoid having to translate the letters into one common language, it's just, apparently, only white people write love letters?
Yeah, I don't think that's what it is.
So that did knock off a star or two.
As for the rest of it? I like how the letters were organized and categorized, I liked the letters, I liked it.
And that was pretty much it. Nothing truly special. Still, a nice read for anyone who wants to see how some famous people wrote to their spouses/lovers/mistresses/(whatever the male form of mistress is)/ect., or perhaps anyone looking for a little inspiration on how to write their own love letters (now wasn't that a plot in a Fred Astaire movie?).
And it's not just English- there's French and German, and all that, so it's not like they were trying to avoid having to translate the letters into one common language, it's just, apparently, only white people write love letters?
Yeah, I don't think that's what it is.
So that did knock off a star or two.
As for the rest of it? I like how the letters were organized and categorized, I liked the letters, I liked it.
And that was pretty much it. Nothing truly special. Still, a nice read for anyone who wants to see how some famous people wrote to their spouses/lovers/mistresses/(whatever the male form of mistress is)/ect., or perhaps anyone looking for a little inspiration on how to write their own love letters (now wasn't that a plot in a Fred Astaire movie?).
March 24, 2017
I love fiction, and I love non-fiction. But there is something deeper in a love letter - it's like reading a piece of a person's soul. You see inside them, to their deepest layers.
The letters in this collection are well assembled and well chosen. The words are beautiful, especially since they come, not from just the expected, but from much more obscure figures as well.
I loved this collection, and recommend it to anyone who needs something to make them smile and give them hope.
The letters in this collection are well assembled and well chosen. The words are beautiful, especially since they come, not from just the expected, but from much more obscure figures as well.
I loved this collection, and recommend it to anyone who needs something to make them smile and give them hope.
November 18, 2025
Reading love letters dating back to the 1500s was more interesting than I expected. If anything, this collection reminded me that human emotions don’t really change over time—we all want to be loved, and we always have.
I treated this book like a small daily ritual, reading a few letters each day. It’s definitely not something to sit down and consume in one sitting; it’s far more enjoyable when you give yourself space to savor the emotions, the language, and the context. Many of the letters lingered with me long after I closed the book. The love letters were so thoughtfully crafted ... nothing like today's quick texts.
With more than 100 love letters from some of history’s most passionate romantics (even war generals!), The World’s Greatest Love Letters is a lovely reminder of the universal longing for connection. A tender, thoughtful read, it was perfect for dipping into whenever you’re in the mood to reflect on love in all its forms. Would make for a nice Valentine's Day gift!
I treated this book like a small daily ritual, reading a few letters each day. It’s definitely not something to sit down and consume in one sitting; it’s far more enjoyable when you give yourself space to savor the emotions, the language, and the context. Many of the letters lingered with me long after I closed the book. The love letters were so thoughtfully crafted ... nothing like today's quick texts.
With more than 100 love letters from some of history’s most passionate romantics (even war generals!), The World’s Greatest Love Letters is a lovely reminder of the universal longing for connection. A tender, thoughtful read, it was perfect for dipping into whenever you’re in the mood to reflect on love in all its forms. Would make for a nice Valentine's Day gift!
July 7, 2020
This is a beautiful book.. just not for me, sadly. I couldn't get sucked into the old love letters, no matter how nice or interesting they were to read. This is a perfect coffee table or waiting room table book, though. You can pick it up and put it down at any time, reading any section of it as you see fit.
December 25, 2021
This is one of my most treasured volumes. I have owned a copy since I was 16 and have read at least a few of the letters almost every year for the past two decades. It reinvigorated my ideas of love every time.
November 21, 2013
A vivid reminder that love once existed. That it was honorable, delicate and absolutely beautiful.
Some of my favorite parts:
"I shall at least be sure to meet you in the next world, if there be any truth in our new doctrine of the day of judgment. Since your body is full of fire, and capable of such solar notions as your letter describes, your soul can never be long going to the fixed stars, where I intend to settle; or else you may find me in the Milky Way;" Alexander Pope to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
"Our passions and our longings are so much in sympathy one with the other, my dear heart, that we ought to believe that the same soul throbs in our two bodies, that love of the same character possesses our hearts, and that Gaye, envious of our union, rears up to oppose our ecstasy and destroy our contentment". Margaret Valois to James, Lord of Chanvallon
"When blind love guides, who can forbear going astray?" George Farquhar to Penelope Oldfield
"When I think of the thousand endearing caresses that have passed between us, I do not wonder at the strong attachment that draws me to you; but I am sorry for my own want of power to please". William Hazlitt to Sarah Walker
"I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for religion,- I have shuddered at it. I shudder no more; I could be martyred for my religion,- love is my religion,- I could die for that. I could for for you. My creed is love, and you are its only tenet".
That's as close to actual love as you can be. In times where texts, online dating and Facebook rule our world.
Some of my favorite parts:
"I shall at least be sure to meet you in the next world, if there be any truth in our new doctrine of the day of judgment. Since your body is full of fire, and capable of such solar notions as your letter describes, your soul can never be long going to the fixed stars, where I intend to settle; or else you may find me in the Milky Way;" Alexander Pope to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
"Our passions and our longings are so much in sympathy one with the other, my dear heart, that we ought to believe that the same soul throbs in our two bodies, that love of the same character possesses our hearts, and that Gaye, envious of our union, rears up to oppose our ecstasy and destroy our contentment". Margaret Valois to James, Lord of Chanvallon
"When blind love guides, who can forbear going astray?" George Farquhar to Penelope Oldfield
"When I think of the thousand endearing caresses that have passed between us, I do not wonder at the strong attachment that draws me to you; but I am sorry for my own want of power to please". William Hazlitt to Sarah Walker
"I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for religion,- I have shuddered at it. I shudder no more; I could be martyred for my religion,- love is my religion,- I could die for that. I could for for you. My creed is love, and you are its only tenet".
That's as close to actual love as you can be. In times where texts, online dating and Facebook rule our world.
February 14, 2013
Almost an "eh" book - really needed better organization and better explanation of who the letter writers were in relation to each other (and in some cases didn't adequately identify some of them - I still don't know who Lord Peterborough is). The categorization split up sequences of letters - fail. And sometimes couples - Lord and Lady Montagu eloped but then each had lovers later in life so letters from both stages/lovers were included but there wasn't any explanation as to context (and I know this because I researched Lady Montagu for a paper on smallpox inoculation).
The breadth of different couples in different times in history was good - so that's why it gets a three star - but I would have enjoyed this much better had the book gone chronologically through couples (or, in Alexander Pope's case since he wrote to multiple women, the central letter writer) keeping the correspondence together for context. There's only one footnote, to tell us that the Henrietta in a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette to Madame de Lafayette was their eldest daughter.
On the other hand, the book only cost 6$ so one must make allowances.
Minus points for failing to include the Wilde/Bosie letters in a section on "Bad Love".
The breadth of different couples in different times in history was good - so that's why it gets a three star - but I would have enjoyed this much better had the book gone chronologically through couples (or, in Alexander Pope's case since he wrote to multiple women, the central letter writer) keeping the correspondence together for context. There's only one footnote, to tell us that the Henrietta in a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette to Madame de Lafayette was their eldest daughter.
On the other hand, the book only cost 6$ so one must make allowances.
Minus points for failing to include the Wilde/Bosie letters in a section on "Bad Love".
November 29, 2014
A great compilation celebrating the love letter as a literary form with some of the greatest expressions of love ever delivered on paper. Keats, Barrett, Bonaparte, Poe, Henry VIII, Winthrop, Twain, Shelley, Wollstonecraft... just to name a "few".
Writing declarations of love has certainly fell by the wayside in today's society, but this book is a true reminder of how powerful the written word was (is) when it comes from the fibrous depths of one's heart.
I'm so glad I spontaneously grabbed this from my local bookstore. What can I say? I am a sap for mushy love <3
"The idea of what men call Fate lost then in my eyes its character of futility. I felt that nothing hereafter was to be doubted, and lost myself for many weeks in one continuous, delicious dream, where all was a vivid, yet distinct bliss." Poe to Witman
"In you, and in you alone, my soul reposes. And thus I would have the physical imitate the spiritual in so blissful a communion. I consider my life as nought until your beautiful hand guided it." Margaret of Valois to James, Lord of Chanvallon
Writing declarations of love has certainly fell by the wayside in today's society, but this book is a true reminder of how powerful the written word was (is) when it comes from the fibrous depths of one's heart.
I'm so glad I spontaneously grabbed this from my local bookstore. What can I say? I am a sap for mushy love <3
"The idea of what men call Fate lost then in my eyes its character of futility. I felt that nothing hereafter was to be doubted, and lost myself for many weeks in one continuous, delicious dream, where all was a vivid, yet distinct bliss." Poe to Witman
"In you, and in you alone, my soul reposes. And thus I would have the physical imitate the spiritual in so blissful a communion. I consider my life as nought until your beautiful hand guided it." Margaret of Valois to James, Lord of Chanvallon
March 31, 2014
Such a wonderful mix of love letters! Whether they are the greatest or not, I have no comparison, but they were a nice read. :-)
Broken down into sections you could skip right to what you were looking for...unrequited, from him to her, her to him, long distance, funny, etc. I picked this jewel off the discount table at B&N and it is certainly worth the $5.95 it set me back! ;-) It provided long happy sighs filled with yearning.
By the way, Napoleon was not only eloquent but wow did he live his wife! ;-)
If you can lay your hands on a copy you'll probably laugh and sigh your way through it (except there were a couple creepy letters!)
XXOO
~Hope
Broken down into sections you could skip right to what you were looking for...unrequited, from him to her, her to him, long distance, funny, etc. I picked this jewel off the discount table at B&N and it is certainly worth the $5.95 it set me back! ;-) It provided long happy sighs filled with yearning.
By the way, Napoleon was not only eloquent but wow did he live his wife! ;-)
If you can lay your hands on a copy you'll probably laugh and sigh your way through it (except there were a couple creepy letters!)
XXOO
~Hope
May 9, 2014
Such a wonderful mix of love letters! Whether they are the greatest or not, I have no comparison, but they were a nice read. :-)
Broken down into sections you could skip right to what you were looking for...unrequited, from him to her, her to him, long distance, funny, etc. I picked this jewel off the discount table at B&N and it is certainly worth the $5.95 it set me back! ;-) It provided long happy sighs filled with yearning.
By the way, Napoleon was not only eloquent but wow did he live his wife! ;-)
If you can lay your hands on a copy you'll probably laugh and sigh your way through it (except there were a couple creepy letters!)
XXOO
~Hope
Broken down into sections you could skip right to what you were looking for...unrequited, from him to her, her to him, long distance, funny, etc. I picked this jewel off the discount table at B&N and it is certainly worth the $5.95 it set me back! ;-) It provided long happy sighs filled with yearning.
By the way, Napoleon was not only eloquent but wow did he live his wife! ;-)
If you can lay your hands on a copy you'll probably laugh and sigh your way through it (except there were a couple creepy letters!)
XXOO
~Hope
November 11, 2013
I truly enjoyed this fine novel of love letters. All of the involved romantic letters were kind, touching and defined despair in my view. Michael Kelahan has done a significant duty of having compiled throughout this novel: The World's Greatest Love Letters.
Reading and acknowledging these letters will personally leave you with an image as if you were to be there watching the two partners responding with a ink writing tool. You will experience love, generousity and overload of emotion. I highly recommend this novel for romance fans.
Reading and acknowledging these letters will personally leave you with an image as if you were to be there watching the two partners responding with a ink writing tool. You will experience love, generousity and overload of emotion. I highly recommend this novel for romance fans.
July 30, 2012
Kinda depressing, much of detailed despair, sorrows which can carry anyone from eight miles. I suggest romance fans read this lovely The World's Greatest Love Letters complied by Michael Kelahan. Will surely help it's viewers stare at love in different measurements direction.
.. Two more chapters!
.. Two more chapters!
April 16, 2013
I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit, as it was organized and had a lot of poignant letters. However, I couldn't get over the fact that all of the "greatest" love letters were written by Europeans exclusively. Perhaps the title should be changed to "Europe's Greatest Love Letters", as I'm sure every country and/or continent has a wide array of letters that could have been added to this book.
May 24, 2017
Beautiful!!!! 100% recommend it
August 18, 2012
Very interesting, there where chapters that really made me laugh. My favorite was the "Couples Correspondence" and the "Mad Love" =)
April 16, 2013
Genuine love letters convey a realism you just can't find in a Nicholas Sparks novel....
May 25, 2014
Lively, earnest and heart breaking. Well put together collection of letters. The book itself is like an ocean with it's ups and downs, it really hits you at times.
May 22, 2014
I just loved this book! It's a great addition to my collection!
October 1, 2015
I wish that someone would write letters like this to me. This compilation of beautifully written letters is too much. I wish I could write love letters like these people wrote to one another.
December 12, 2014
Where did these romantic gestures go? The art of crafting a beautiful love letter must be resurrected! What passion! What feeling! What love!!!!
May 28, 2015
Dreadfully boring.
June 2, 2015
Timeless and beautiful :) Love letters attempt to put into words what we all have felt, from the white-hot passion to the aching heartbreak.
December 28, 2014
I think the title over promised
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews