A Secret Gift: How One Man's Kindness--and a Trove of Letters--Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression...Review

About the book:
An inspiring account of America at its worst-and Americans at their best-woven from the stories of Depression-era families who were helped by gifts from the author's generous and secretive grandfather.

Shortly before Christmas 1933 in Depression-scarred Canton, Ohio, a small newspaper ad offered $10, no strings attached, to 75 families in distress. Interested readers were asked to submit letters describing their hardships to a benefactor calling himself Mr. B. Virdot. The author's grandfather Sam Stone was inspired to place this ad and assist his fellow Cantonians as they prepared for the cruelest Christmas most of them would ever witness.

Moved by the tales of suffering and expressions of hope contained in the letters, which he discovered in a suitcase 75 years later, Ted Gup initially set out to unveil the lives behind them, searching for records and relatives all over the country who could help him flesh out the family sagas hinted at in those letters. From these sources, Gup has re-created the impact that Mr B. Virdot's gift had on each family. Many people yearned for bread, coal, or other necessities, but many others received money from B. Virdot for more fanciful items-a toy horse, say, or a set of encyclopedias. As Gup's investigations revealed, all these things had the power to turn people's lives around--even to save them.

But as he uncovered the suffering and triumphs of dozens of strangers, Gup also learned that Sam Stone was far more complex than the lovable- retiree persona he'd always shown his grandson. Gup unearths deeply buried details about Sam's life-from his impoverished, abusive upbringing to felonious efforts to hide his immigrant origins from U.S. officials-that help explain why he felt such a strong affinity to strangers in need. Drawing on his unique find and his award-winning reportorial gifts, Ted Gup solves a singular family mystery even while he pulls away the veil of eight decades that separate us from the hardships that united America during the Depression. In A Secret Gift, he weaves these revelations seamlessly into a tapestry of Depression-era America, which will fascinate and inspire in equal measure.

I enjoyed this story.  I enjoyed it so much that when it disappeared during my recent move, I was more than annoyed.  I'm anxious to finish it as soon as it turns up, but my review will be the same, no matter what.  Simply put, this is just a captivating book.  It's a fascinating look into the lives of every day people during the depression.  It's the story of a generous man, who wasn't immune to the troubles of the time, but a man who, during the Christmas of 1933, found himself better off than most people.  Because of that, he wanted to do something to help others.

The letters what were sent to B. Virdot are tender and poignant.  This was such a different time.  People didn't want handouts, they wanted work to support their families.  They were proud and honest.  There was no sense of entitlement.

An interesting and enlightening book about a dark and difficult time in America's history, but also a sentimental story of hope and the kindness of others.

Thanks to Trish at TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Ted Gup here.  You can see other reviews and tour stops here. You can purchase your own copy here

Read 11/10

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4/5 Stars

Comments

  1. This might sound weird, but is it nonfiction? It sounds really great, either way.

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  2. Bookfool, yes it is non-fiction. It's really good. I just wish I could find it!

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  3. You lost the book?! Oh that is SO frustrating! I've done the same thing myself (more times than I care to admit) and I hate it, especially when the book is as good as the one appears to be.

    Here's hoping you find it again very soon and that the end is just as good as the beginning.

    Thanks for being a part of the tour!

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