Filled with keen observations, autobiographical notes, and the seeds of many of Maugham's greatest works, A Writer's Notebook is a unique and exhilarating look into a great writer's mind at work.

From nearly five decades, Somerset Maugham recorded an intimate journal. In it we see the budding of his incomparable vision and his remarkable career as a writer. Covering the years from his time as a youthful medical student in London to a seasoned world traveler around the world, it is playful, sharp witted, and always revealing. Undoubtedly one of his most significant works, A Writer's Notebook is a must for Maugham fans and anyone interested in the creative process.

W.薩默賽特•毛姆（1874-1965），二十世紀英國最重要、也是最知名的作傢之一。一八七四年齣生於法國巴黎，二十三歲即以第一本小說《蘭白斯德麗莎》一鳴驚人；一九一五年的《人生的枷鎖》與一九一九年的《月亮與六便士》，則更確立瞭他在文壇的地位。他也是一位成功的劇作傢，編寫的舞颱劇在當時倫敦的賣座程度與蕭伯納相比不遑多讓。

毛姆的一生多姿多彩，幾乎遊遍世界各地，一次世界大戰時曾擔任情報員，戰後遊蹤更廣，最後在法國南部定居，直至一九六五年去世為止。

毛姆著作甚豐，無論是小說、劇本、評論、隨筆、遊記和迴憶錄都廣受好評，一九六一年與福斯特（《印度之旅》作者）同獲英國皇傢“文學勛章”最高榮譽。毛姆的小說多以異國為背景，處理情節的技巧十分精煉，善於營造懸疑氣氛，而對於女性內心的描寫更見細膩，處處展露齣對人性的洞察。其他作品尚有《兼差密諜阿申登》《刀鋒》《餅與酒》《書與你》《巨匠與傑作》和《作傢筆記》等。