American Thumb-prints: Mettle of Our Men and Women

This collection of sketches and essays examines American character through regional portraits, institutional studies, and social satire. It traces how religious inheritance, reformist impulses, educational life, and domestic customs shape communities—from Kansas reform movements and Midwestern neighbors to New England households—and addresses gender attitudes, scientific curiosities, and the recycling of famous wit. Combining reportage, anecdote, and reflective criticism, the pieces illuminate recurring themes of idealism, civic energy, and the tensions between tradition and experiment.