In “Notes on the Next War: A Serious Topical Letter”, Hemingway argues that another major European war is approaching and examines the political forces that could produce it. Writing in 1935, he considers Mussolini’s plans for war in Ethiopia, Hitler’s ambitions in Germany and the interests of France and Britain. He argues that dictators can use propaganda, patriotism and foreign conflict to divert attention from domestic failures, and warns against concentrating the power to enter war in the hands of an executive.

Hemingway also rejects romantic ideas about modern warfare. Drawing on the experience of the First World War, he describes war as destructive to soldiers and societies regardless of formal victory, arguing that prolonged conflict leaves all sides diminished. He maintains that exposing the political interests and manipulation behind war is more useful than merely describing its horrors. The essay concludes by urging the United States to avoid being drawn into another European conflict.