[solid enough copy, but has taken some moisture at bottom at some point in its history, leaving light dampstains on the fore-edge and bottom edge, and the bottom part of the text block is a bit rippled and very lightly stained throughout the book; the jacket is intact but edgeworn and heavily soiled, with minor paper loss at several corners]. "A typical small town is the background against which the author has placed his American characters. The scene opens in 1897 with the Canterburys at their peak -- socially, spiritually and financially. Their life is healthily robust. Then Spooner, a male Carrie Nation, comes upon the scene with his preachments against all that makes for a normal, healthy life. With his entrance the Canterburys begin their descent. The struggle which takes place is that between excess of temperance and too much liberalism. The Canterburys represent exuberance and Spooner represents Calvinism. It is an American epoch which began with the Puritans in New England."

Temperance Movements Alcohol Calvinism American Life Families