Your Amiable Uncle

the long version

"These letters were written by Booth Tarkington in 1903 and 1904, during his first trip abroad, with his parents and his wife. They were addressed to his three nephews, John (aged fourteen), Donald (aged twelve) and Booth Jameson (aged one). Many years later Penrod was dedicated "by a grateful uncle" to the same three boys, the gratitude being due to the fact that individually and collectively they had furnished so much copy to the avuncular pen." -- publisher's description.