Changes

Steinbeck grew up in and spent most of his writing career in [[California]].  Some of his works have been made into movies, including ''Cannery Row'' (1945), ''The Pearl'' (1947), ''Of Mice and Men'' (1939) and ''East of Eden'' (1952) (which was turned into a successful movie).  Steinbeck was successful as a Hollywood writer, receiving an [[Academy Award]] nomination for Best Story in 1944 for [[Alfred Hitchcock|Alfred Hitchcock's]] ''Lifeboat''.

Steinbeck grew up in and spent most of his writing career in [[California]].  Some of his works have been made into movies, including ''Cannery Row'' (1945), ''The Pearl'' (1947), ''Of Mice and Men'' (1939) and ''East of Eden'' (1952) (which was turned into a successful movie).  Steinbeck was successful as a Hollywood writer, receiving an [[Academy Award]] nomination for Best Story in 1944 for [[Alfred Hitchcock|Alfred Hitchcock's]] ''Lifeboat''.

Steinbeck's books were highly controversial and have been the subject of many attempts at censorship, both by the left and the right.  ''Of Mice and Men'' is number six on the American Library Association's list of the 100 most frequently censored books, 1990-2000.<ref>http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=bbwlinks&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85714</ref>  ''The Grapes of Wrath'' is also a frequent target of censors.

Steinbeck's books were highly controversial and have been the subject of many attempts at censorship, both by the left and the right.  ''Of Mice and Men'' is number six on the American Library Association's list of the 100 most frequently censored books, 1990-2000.<ref>http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=bbwlinks&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85714</ref>  ''The Grapes of Wrath'' is also a frequent target of censors.  But Steinbeck's later novels, including ''East of Eden'', are not considered as high in literary quality as his earlier works, culminating in ''The Grapes of Wrath''.

John Steinbeck died in New York City on December 20, 1968, of heart disease and congestive heart failure. He was 66, and had been a lifelong smoker.  An autopsy showed nearly complete occlusion of the main coronary arteries.   

John Steinbeck died in New York City on December 20, 1968, of heart disease and congestive heart failure. He was 66, and had been a lifelong smoker.  An autopsy showed nearly complete occlusion of the main coronary arteries.