This is an inspiration for us all. Galbraith after finishing "The
Economics of Innocent Fraud", a book he considered one of his best,
wrote to his publisher in 2004 about the possibility of writing
another book. He was 95 at the time! He died two years later without
finishing the book.

Ric Holt

April 9, 2004

Ms. Janet Silver, Vice President and Editor in Chief Houghton Mifflin

Dear Janet:

         I've got the basic ideas of the next book fully in mind. I'm
going to dictate a preliminary outline next week. My basic idea
remains the same: what one needs to know of economics told in an
agreeable way, with an eye to truth, political effect, needed personal
knowledge, textbook inaccuracy and warning as to misjudgment and
personal error. All easy and pleasant to read.

         I will stay in communication as I proceed. I think I should
wait for a little time before a contract. I'm as interested even as my
publisher in having the right book. Nothing is so rewarding and
reassuring as the outline and actual early pages.


                                                                 Yours
faithfully,

                                                            John
Kenneth Galbraith