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redowns1022's review against another edition
3.0
Learned a lot about the political and social forces that shaped life in the US at the turn of the last century. At the level of detail the author goes into, I'm very impressed that the book didn't feel dense or boring. Actually made me interested in learning more about WWI time period in the US as a lot of the challenges the US was facing (economic recession, immigration policy disagreement, debate over the role US was to play in the world) have re-emerged at the forefront of discussions today.
socraticgadfly's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting story about the upbringing of perennial Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas and his three brothers, written by Norman's great-granddaughter. The four all went to Princeton when Woodrow Wilson was president, but split over Wilson's push for WWI. Norman saw that Wilson's own actions would lead toward crushing of dissent and likely not make the world that safe for democracy. Evan, a true idealist, became a conscientious objector, even going on a hunger strike. Arthur immediately signed up and became an officer, getting wounded. And Ryan, who muddled the most at Princeton, muddled in his angle on the war before enlisting.
It was good but not quite great, in that the book didn't seem to have enough "frisson."
It was good but not quite great, in that the book didn't seem to have enough "frisson."
valariesmith's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting in a lot of ways, but very dry. I would've loved to have seen more life on the page and less quoting from letters. Perhaps it should've focused solely on Norman's biography and saved just a chapter for his brothers and WW1 instead of the other way around.
ksoanes's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book more but the historical information was dry and interrupted the flow of the story.
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