Cultural Writing. Autobiography. DEAR BERT: SELECTED LETTERS 1958-1968 is a collection of letters from author Grace Kull to her lifelong friend Bert Chapin, tracing her family history and the progress of life in Cooperstown, NY. DEAR BERT presents a vivid picture of family life in small-town America of the 1950's and 1960's. Author Grace Kull has woven a classic tapestry of personal story-telling in the mode of Twain, which the Introduction by Fielding Dawson makes plain. This is a warm, funny, reassuring read.