An American Family: A Novel of Today

At the peak of his career, Henry Kitchell Webster wrote the novel An American Family (1918) about ambition, war, and tragedy. It explores the effects of the labor movement on American industry and the psychological effects of conflict and betrayal on a wealthy family. The novel also depicts the United States' preparation for the Great War and the inequities suffered by those the Corbett family employs. Hugh is forced to make a choice between his allegiance to his class and loved ones or doing what he knows is right for humanity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 398 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: West Margin Press

An American Family, a novel by Henry Kitchell Webster, was written during the peak of Webster's career as a popular author of magazine serials. Set against the backdrop of war, ambition, and tragedy, the book delves into the impact of the burgeoning labor movement on American industry. Through the lens of a wealthy family, Webster explores the psychological effects of conflict and betrayal, shedding light on the struggles of the third son, Hugh Corbett, as he seeks to establish his identity outside of the family business.

Owners of a successful factory in Chicago, the Corbett family finds themselves at odds with the needs of their impoverished laborers, who have begun to agitate for higher pay and better rights. As the crisis escalates, the United States prepares to enter the Great War, deepening the divisions within the nation. Meanwhile, Hugh meets Helena, an anarchist who exposes the injustices suffered by the people employed by the Corbett family. When a strike threatens to bring down the business, Hugh is faced with a moral dilemma: should he prioritize his allegiance to his class and loved ones or do what he knows is right for the greater good of humanity?

An American Family is a sweeping tale of history on a human scale, encompassing a vast array of characters and themes. With its beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Henry Kitchell Webster's An American Family serves as a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781513133966