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内容简介：
AninspiringaccountofAmericaatitsworst-andAmericansattheirbest-wovenfromthestoriesofDepression-erafamilieswhowerehelpedbygiftsfromtheauthor'sgenerousandsecretivegrandfather.
ShortlybeforeChristmas1933inDepression-scarredCanton,Ohio,asmallnewspaperadoffered$10,nostringsattached,to75familiesindistress.InterestedreaderswereaskedtosubmitlettersdescribingtheirhardshipstoabenefactorcallinghimselfMr.B.Virdot.Theauthor'sgrandfatherSamStonewasinspiredtoplacethisadandassisthisfellowCantoniansastheypreparedforthecruelestChristmasmostofthemwouldeverwitness.
Movedbythetalesofsufferingandexpressionsofhopecontainedintheletters,whichhediscoveredinasuitcase75yearslater,TedGupinitiallysetouttounveilthelivesbehindthem,searchingforrecordsandrelativesalloverthecountrywhocouldhelphimfleshoutthefamilysagashintedatinthoseletters.Fromthesesources,Guphasre-createdtheimpactthatMrB.Virdot'sgifthadoneachfamily.Manypeopleyearnedforbread,coal,orothernecessities,butmanyothersreceivedmoneyfromB.Virdotformorefancifulitems-atoyhorse,say,orasetofencyclopedias.AsGup'sinvestigationsrevealed,allthesethingshadthepowertoturnpeople'slivesaround-eventosavethem.
Butasheuncoveredthesufferingandtriumphsofdozensofstrangers,GupalsolearnedthatSamStonewasfarmorecomplexthanthelovable-retireepersonahe'dalwaysshownhisgrandson.GupunearthsdeeplyburieddetailsaboutSam'slife-fromhisimpoverished,abusiveupbringingtofeloniouseffortstohidehisimmigrantoriginsfromU.S.officials-thathelpexplainwhyhefeltsuchastrongaffinitytostrangersinneed.Drawingonhisuniquefindandhisaward-winningreportorialgifts,TedGupsolvesasingularfamilymysteryevenwhilehepullsawaytheveilofeightdecadesthatseparateusfromthehardshipsthatunitedAmericaduringtheDepression.InASecretGift,heweavestheserevelationsseamlesslyintoatapestryofDepression-eraAmerica,whichwillfascinateandinspireinequalmeasure. |
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发表于 2026-6-17 02:07:52
