1919 Misfortune's End (Perfect Paperback)

~ Paula Phelan (Author) "With the whine of the first bullets Patrick Jr. pulled his wife to the firehouse floor..." (more)
Key Phrases: dinna kin, New York, Miss Johnson, White House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I just finished the book this morning on the T. I suspect you intended this, but my god, there are all sorts of ties to today's world in this little tome of yours, aren't there? Idiots in power, pointless wars, craziness in energy, racism, intrigue... fun fun fun! In any case, loved the book - if I hadn't been standing most of the time I'd been reading it (on the T), I would've been on the edge of my seat! ;) And seriously, I don't normally pay much attention to history, but if it was presented like this, I would have been FAR more interested. Bravo!" --Dan Keldsen, www.BizTechTalk.com

This is a tour de force of writing and deserves a wide audience. --Alan Caruba, Editor, Bookviews.com

Product Description

Two American families face a year of enormous significance, turmoil and change. The War to End All Wars was over. The Plague of 1918 had swept through urban areas with a vengeance, killing more than a million citizens and then mysteriously subsided. But instead of celebrating their survival through these excruciating times, four million workers went on strike, inflation hit 500%, and prohibition became law - unleashing the pestilence of organized crime. Good and bad times live side by side as people move from a simpler past through tumultuous times and reach out in search of a new future. The hope of carving out a new life motivates our characters who are enjoying early advancements in radio communication, entertainment and the inventions for the home. Although the characters did not know it at the time, the groundwork for the roaring 20s was being set with the casting off of old ideas, a devil may care attitude and a relaxing of social mores. The year 1919 is a reminder that things can always get worse, but through the vibrancy of the human spirit, things can get better too.

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: ZAPmedia; 1st edition (February 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977819205
• ISBN-13: 978-0977819201
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,927 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Calling All History Buffs!!!, March 6, 2007

By	Che' Vyfhuis "Author, Portrait of a Life: On ... (West Coast) - See all my reviews

To all those with a passion for U.S. history, you've come home with this novel! From the opening pages, the novel is spiced with U.S. history in the early years of the 20th century and the instances where history sometimes gets retold. It tells the fascinating story of how two disparate groups, and a U.S. president, coped with the ravages of illness and war, as well as larger changes in the society. The voluminous amount of research that went into compiling this novel becomes obvious, ranging from the decisions and life of Woodrow Wilson and his familial relationships to the life of the Irish to the life of the African-American and the impact of slavery. There is no shyness in her writing; Phelan demonstrates masterful skill at creating dialogue and an unusual insight into the souls of the African-American characters. This book should have mass appeal to all lovers of U.S. history, as well as those interested in the Afro-American experience of the early 20th century through today.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing, splendid, and extraordinary tale!, August 13, 2007

By	Timon de la playa (Kensington, MD USA) - See all my reviews

I was reminded, when reading this fabulous book, of a story once told about two great men. One was a famous statesman and diplomat; the other a renowned author and world traveler. They both had just spent a week in an European capitol and happened to meet each other at the train station upon their departure. The two talked and soon realized that they had had markedly different and contrasting impressions of their visits. Of course, each was viewing the visit through his own world view, and had not thought to consider much that was going that each had missed. Phelan's marvelous work is a tale that does not miss much for the period covered. In a tour de force of research, synthesis, contrast, and plainly delightful characterizations, Phelan not only carries the reader to the heart of the American experience of the era, but draws from so many insights on so many levels that she leaves the reader overwhelmingly satisfied with revelation. This book is for anyone eager to hear in earnest and finely wrought prose the history of this era in a brilliant format that few have pulled off. This is a must-read for historical fiction buffs of all stripes. You will not be disappointed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and inspiring, September 5, 2007

By	Jennifer Lankford "literature major" (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The novel is a great read! Ms. Phelan obviously did her homework in researching the era and pulls you into the world of 1919. Not only do you learn more about events and characters already well known, but brings to light characters and events you didn't realize were integral to this year. You'll learn about music, politics, social rights, workers rights, civil rights, women's rights and more without feeling like you're reading history... I'd recommend this for anyone from age 14 to 100 :-)