First published 1966
Carrie Nation grips her hatchet and strides into another saloon, ready to smash bottles and destroy what she sees as the devil's work. This passionate crusader wages war not just against liquor, but against tobacco, immorality, and secret societies like the Masons. Her righteous fury drives her from one battle to the next, leaving shattered glass and outraged opponents in her wake. Nation faces arrest, ridicule, and violent opposition as she pursues her mission to cleanse America of its sins. The book follows her relentless campaign across the country, showing how her fierce convictions put her at odds with nearly everyone around her. Through saloon raids and public confrontations, Nation discovers that changing the world requires sacrificing her own peace and safety. At its heart, this is the story of a woman whose unwavering moral certainty both empowers and isolates her.
Genres: 20th-century, 19th-century, activism, american-history
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: moral-certainty, righteous-crusader
Setting: America
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
373 pages · Hardcover · Dutton Books/New American Library
Content warnings: violence