A Diary of the Century

In 1927, three Illinois teenagers dared one another to see who could keep a diary the longest. In 1995, 68 years and over 22 million words later, winner Ellis published this rich book, drawn from his Guinness World Record - recognised diary. Decades as a reporter granted Ellis a front-row seat to major 20th century events, which he captured with candour, whether covering politicians like Harry Truman, movie stars such as Grace Kelly, or historic news events, like the creation of the United Nations. Yet Ellis's enjoyment of everyday life is as riveting as any headline-grabbing event. As he wrote himself, his diary captures 'the drama of the unfolding life of one individual'.