Ernest Hemingway was a great American author who began his career humbly in a Kansas City newspaper at the young age of seventeen. Once the United States entered World War I, Hemingway saw fit to join a volunteer ambulance service. During this period Hemingway was wounded and decorated by the Italian government for his noble deeds. Once fully recovered, he returned to the United States. Upon his arrival he became a reporter for American and Canadian newspapers and was sent abroad to cover significant events. For example, he was sent to Europe to cover the Greek revolution. During his early adulthood, Hemingway became a member of the group of American expatriates in Paris. This is known as the period of his life which he describes in two of his novels; A Farewell to Arms and The Sun Also Rises, the latter of the two being his first work. Hemingway was able to use his experiences serving on the front during the war and his experience of being with other expatriates after the war to shape both of these novels. He was able to successfully write these novels due to his past experience working for newspapers. His experience with the newspaper seemed to be much more beneficial than simply providing him with an income, with the experience as a reporter under his belt he was also able to construct another novel which allowed him to sufficiently describe his experiences as a reporter during the Civil War; For whom the bell tolls. Probably his most extraordinary short novel was about the journey of an old fisherman and the long, lonely struggle with a fish and the sea, with victory in defeat. Hemingway showed a marked predilection for illustrating soldiers, bullfighters and practically any character who was co. ..... in the center of the card ...... meaningless, leaving them feeling empty. Perhaps they fill this void with their constant drinking and other erratic partying behaviors. Although it is never stated, it is quite obvious that these characters seem lost, as if they no longer know what to do with their lives. That's why they are constantly moving, drinking and partying. Perhaps this is how all the other soldiers and individuals directly affected by the war felt. They lose sight of themselves and realize that life isn't what it used to be. Perhaps they live to forget, Hemingway seems to have left this message hidden up to interpretation. This is one of the many reasons why Hemingway is considered one of the greats. Leaving a theme up to interpretation allows the reader to feel even more connected to the book and the characters.