Death in the Afternoon, Ernest Hemingway’s inaugural foray into major nonfiction, emerged following the celebrated successes of his novels The Sun Also Rises in 1926 and A Farewell to Arms in 1929. This work extended Hemingway’s reach beyond fiction, offering a profound insight into the heroic lifestyle—a life marked by immense risks, fleeting triumphs, and inescapable tragedy. Upon its release, critics lauded the book for its straightforward exposition on the subject of bullfighting, with some deeming it the finest English-language account of the spectacle.

Yet, the lasting impact of Death in the Afternoon is rooted not just in its narrative on bullfighting but in its exploration of the Bullfighter as a Hero. Hemingway’s analysis delves deep into the qualities that define heroism in the modern era. Like his preceding novels and the nonfiction work that followed, Green Hills of Africa (1935), Hemingway presents a subtly crafted vision of what it means to live heroically in the contemporary world. For students and scholars seeking to understand the quintessential Hemingway hero, this book provides an invaluable resource.

Furthermore, Death in the Afternoon is instrumental in unveiling Hemingway's own artistic principles. Scattered throughout the text, particularly towards the end of various chapters, are his candid literary observations—insights that have since become foundational in the realm of literary criticism. Thus, the book not only stands as a testament to Hemingway’s philosophical musings on heroism but also as a cornerstone for understanding his approach to writing and composition. Through this work, both admirers and analysts of Hemingway’s oeuvre can uncover the nuances of the writer's distinctive style and thematic concerns, all of which continue to resonate within the annals of modern literature.