Autograph letter in blue ink on University of California, Berkeley letterhead, 2 pp (recto/verso), signed and dated Feb 23, 1968 by the Polish poet, prose writer, translator and diplomat, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. In full: "Dear Mr. Rittner, / The title you propose is impossible for the following reasons: 1) This is a textbook, its subject is Polish literature and not Poland in general. 2) There is a book by the late professor Wilediecki 'Life and Culture of POLAND.' 3) I find books entitled 'Poland - its literature and life, or Czechoslovaki - its literature and life etc. just a bore. I would not buy one. For these reasons I strick to History of Polish Literature. I expect a letter from you answering my questions as to the index of names and the titles etc. (plus a check). I would like also to know something about [the?] schedule. I plan to be in New York in the second half of June. / Very sincerely / Czeslaw Milosz." Usual light mailing folds, else fine. 

First published in 1969, Milosz's The History of Polish Literature  is a survey of Polish letters and culture from its beginnings to modern times. Milosz updated the edition in 1983 and added an epilogue to bring the discussion up to date.