The Man Who Knew Coolidge

"The Man Who Knew Coolidge: Being the Soul of Lowell Schmaltz, Constructive and Nordic Citizen" is a sharp-witted satire by Nobel Prize winner Sinclair Lewis that delves into the psyche of the American middle class during the Roaring Twenties. The narrative is presented as a series of long-winded monologues by Lowell Schmaltz, a self-important traveling salesman and "booster" from Zenith who prides himself on his supposed friendship with President Calvin Coolidge. Through Schmaltz's rambling anecdotes and unsolicited opinions, Lewis masterfully exposes the provincialism, materialism, and hollow optimism of the era's professional class. The work serves as a spiritual successor to Lewis's famous novel "Babbitt," refining the archetype of the "regular guy" who equates commercial success with moral virtue. Schmaltz's obsession with status, gadgets, and conformity provides a humorous yet biting critique of American society. As a significant piece of literary social commentary, "The Man Who Knew Coolidge" offers readers a vivid window into the cultural anxieties and ideological contradictions of early 20th-century America. Lewis's keen ear for the vernacular and his uncompromising eye for hypocrisy make this a foundational text for understanding the evolution of the American identity.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Pages: 280, Hardcover, Tradd Street Press