The new book "The Lifespan of the Fact," which is based on seven years of email exchanges between a writer (John D'Agata) and a fact checker (Jim Fingal), has generated a lot of interesting commentary. My biggest question, based on the Harper's excerpt I read, essentially boiled down to: Is this writer really as huge a jerk as he appears?

Well, The Awl has answered my question, posting a new transcript of exchanges between D'Agata and a different fact checker. And D'Agata comes across as, yes, a big, fat jerk. Here's an excerpt:

"Darren: Hi, John. My name is Darren, and I'm the intern at Room Service that will be fact-checking your piece. It was a thrilling read. My concern is that the Chicago Cubs didn't win the World Series in 1987.

John: “Piece?” I’m afraid I’m not sure I know to what you’re referring. Little help?

Darren: Hmmm. The essay you wrote for us. It’s great. :) There are just a few questions.

John: Oh. Essay is... better? I prefer to think of what I do as an experience. At a minimum, I expect five-sense engagement with any competent reader. I’m talking taste buds. Smell. Otherwise I should hang it up. Or you should do some better reading. Either way, you won’t need to fact-check this, uh, “piece.” How adorable. Print it or kill it.

Darren: Maybe we can compromise? Everyone here wants to print it.

John: Is English really your first language?"

And so on.

Here are some other good links on "The Lifespan of a Fact":

Dan Kois in Slate

Laura Miller in Salon