Hemingway as a writer got better in other types of subject material. Mostly his views on the skills of the bullfight aired on in this , an essay basically on the "sport" There are many who think of it as a horrible experience.
It was worse when the horses were disembowelled , now, at least they are armored with leather protection. The bull still dies, and that is part of the drama.
Don't read this if you are sympathetic toward animals, it will only upset you.
The more one learns about Ernest H., the less one finds appealing about him. As a hunter, fisherman, alcoholic, he becomes smaller, weaker, to me as a writer.
The copy I bought was in good shape for the price, and I won't gripe, and can still read the book.