Afterword by Benjamin DeMott. People of varying political and economic beliefs are brought together in New York in the 1880's. Howells attempts to do justice to everyone's point of view throughout the novel as the characters collide with one another, and sometimes cooperate, and the main character tries to make peace. A realist's portrait of a unique time in America, with self-made millionairs, social reformers, the news media, some social violence, and even a pro-slavery former Confederate colonel - reminding us of how much has not changed in almost 150 years.  Signet. 1965. Paper. USED. $3.00