This is my first exposure to Ernest Hemingway and, after reading it, I wonder how I could go through eight years of high school and college and not read one Hemingway book. I loved this book! I have never taken so quickly to a piece of classic literature. Hemingway's style is powerful, evocative, and dramatic. And yet none of the prose is overly verbose or bombastic. This tale, set over four days in the mountains of Spain during the Spanish Civil War, follows Robert Jordan, an American fighting in the International Brigade, and his preparations for a bridge demolition. During that time, he falls in love with the beautiful and tragic Maria as well as befriends the group of guerrillas he is working with. During those four days, Jordan loves, idealizes, and submits to his dutiful fate more passionately than most men ever will. If you have never read Hemingway before, I suggest you do so right away. This book is a great one to start with and I know that I will be looking to read more of his works soon.