A collection of writings of the period 1930 to 1939 which attempt to capture the characteristic spirit of the time, that blend of fear, hope, excitement, anger and joy. Includes writings by Sherwood Anderson, John Dewey, William Saroyan, Clifford Odets, e. e. cummings, Stephen Vincent Benet, Archibald MacLeish, Erskine Caldwell and others.

During the fall and winter of 1838, the Cherokee Nation was gathered and marched west by General Winfield Scott.