The Ways of a Worker of a Century Ago as Shown by the Diary of Joseph Lye, Shoemaker

"The Ways of a Worker of a Century Ago" by Fred A. Gannon, uses the personal diary of Joseph Lye, a 19th-century shoemaker, to paint a vivid picture of early American life. The book explores the everyday world of a working man in Lynn, Massachusetts, during the rise of industry, as presented through his journal entries. These accounts portray his life as a shoemaker, family man, and active member of his town. Readers gain insight into his work, his community involvement, and how these experiences relate to his spiritual beliefs. His documented activities, including shoemaking, farming, and attendance to town affairs, paint a vivid picture of the simplicity and neighborly attitude of his time compared to the complexities of modern life.