1919 Misfortune's End [Perfect Paperback]

Paula Phelan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2007

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

"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

From the Author

As an amateur history buff I find myself constantly surprised by events and people I had previously been unaware of, in time periods I thought I knew well. What I have discovered is that history, like the news from which it is derived, is synthesized. Not as part of a grand scheme to obscure the truth, but rather, to condense, summarize and highlight key events.

Writing this work as a novel, I have endeavored to offer some new perspectives about an important turning point in American history.

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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
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,132,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 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

This review is from: 1919 Misfortune's End (Perfect Paperback)

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.

4 of 4 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

This review is from: 1919 Misfortune's End (Perfect Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A joy to read!, January 1, 2009

By 

Craig Monte (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1919 Misfortune's End (Perfect Paperback)

I found the narrative of 1919-Misfortune's End compelling. I hadn't realized how important the year was to the history of the U.S. from women's rights, to prohibition to the largest labor strikes in the history of the country. The book provided me a glimpse of how the year had a dramatic impact on the African American community for the good and bad. I had never realized the fundamental differences in the philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois, much less put them in the context of actual individuals who lived during this time. If you like historical fiction you will love this book!
1919 Misfortune's End