The Quest for a Lost Race

"The Quest for a Lost Race" by Thomas Edward Pickett is a historical exploration of a controversial theory suggesting that modern English speakers, specifically Kentuckians, are more closely related to Scandinavians than Germans, challenging established beliefs about ancestry and identity. The book introduces the reader to the town of Maysville, Kentucky, portraying its environment and cultural leanings during the period when ethnologist Paul B. Du Chaillu's hypothesis about Scandinavian roots was a hot topic of discussion. Pickett links Du Chaillu's experiences with Kentuckians to argue that their shared social habits and characteristics are more closely related to the customs of ancient Scandinavian civilizations, setting up a debate on race and heritage in early 20th century America.