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Bookclub Topics
“Spirit of Modern Times” is a book of historical fiction. In the course of its narrative there are several topics in American history that are briefly mentioned, some of them addressed more fully if they have an impact on the characters’ situations or attitudes in May, 1861.
A number of these topics are listed below, with the page indicated where they appear in the book. These items are suggested as possible subjects for group discussion in reviewing the story, if elaborated by further information readily found on the Internet and other texts.
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Daniel Sickles affair: murder defense by temporary insanity. (p. 293)
Pinkerton agents, initially hired for security by railroad companies. (p. 369)
Balloonists, and popularity of hot air balloons. (pp. 229-230, 337)
Passenger elevators, e.g. first Otis elevator in the Haughwout Building in NYC. (p. 144)
Sewing Machines new invention on the market. (pp. 134, 141)
Colorful dyes and fabrics for women’s fashions, new on the market. (p. 248)
Opium pills for medicine (p. 286); Medicinal herbs for apothecary. (pp. 277-278)
Cleveland Female Seminary: boarding schools offering practical education. (pp. 317-318)
College fraternities, starting to form as secret societies. (p. 323)
Covenanters society (p. 237); Windsor, Canada. (p. 245) roles in the Underground Railroad.
Wide-Awakes demonstrations (pp. 30, 205, 246); Know-Nothings political movement. (p. 349)