The Log of the Water Wagon; or, The Cruise of the Good Ship "Lithia"

"The Log of the Water Wagon; or, The Cruise of the Good Ship 'Lithia'" by Bert Leston Taylor is a comical tale set in the early 1900s, told through the log of a lone sober passenger aboard the Good Ship Lithia, which is filled with a lively group of passengers and crew battling their urges for alcohol. It uses humor to talk about staying away from alcohol and the ups and downs of the people onboard. The ship's journey turns into a series of funny problems, like sneaky acts of rebellion and out-of-control situations caused by intense thirst, while also including odd remedies like a "water cure," blending lighthearted moments with insightful looks at the difficulties of sticking to one's decision to stay sober in the face of temptation, all leading up to a ridiculously funny conclusion. With its use of humor and mockery, the story aims to entertain while also hinting at the benefits of not drinking, offering a quirky view of how society thought about alcohol back then.