This work investigates how the practice of letter writing evolved into a widespread social phenomenon in England between 1660 and 1800. Susan E. Whyman, a historian specializing in early modern social history, utilizes an extensive collection of personal correspondence from diverse social strata to argue that letter writing was a critical tool for identity formation and social mobility. She posits that the democratization of literacy and the expansion of the postal system fundamentally altered how individuals across the class spectrum communicated and maintained relationships.

Historians and literary scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the social mechanics of the early modern period. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of primary source materials for those interested in the history of communication.