Forty Years of It

"Forty Years of It" by Brand Whitlock is a memoir that looks back at the author's life and the growth of democracy in a city in the Midwest. The book tells about his family history and important ideas in society, especially how people's thoughts about politics and being a good citizen changed over time. The story mixes important historical happenings with personal stories, showing how the author connected with important people and how he grew as a person as he experienced the world of politics and society. Early on, the book, the reader learns about a memory when he spent the afternoon with his grandfather, who held office in their town. This experience introduces the ideas of the nature of remembering things, family history, and the author's thinking about how democracy affects people's lives. Throughout that day, the author notices things, like how a prisoner was treated and conversation with his grandfather about political power. These memories introduce us people and moments that influenced not only his knowledge but also the nature of democratic society.