"What So Proudly We Hail..."

"What So Proudly We Hail..." by Day Keene is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. It tells the story of Ephraim Hale, a man from the late 18th century who, after a drunken night, finds himself inexplicably transported to the year 1950. The book explores themes of nostalgia, cultural change, and the challenge of adapting to a vastly different world. In this tale, Ephraim Hale wakes up in a cave in a modern Central Park, bewildered by the changes that have taken place over the past 161 years. He interacts with contemporary characters, including a young woman named Gertie, and grapples with modern societal norms, technology, and issues like income tax—concepts foreign to his time. As he navigates his new life, he encounters challenges that blend humor and reflection on the past, ultimately deciding whether he wishes to embrace or escape the modern era's complexities. The novel combines elements of time travel with social commentary, highlighting the contrast between the values of the founding generation and those of mid-20th century America. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Gunard Hjertstedt, better known by pen name Day Keene, was an American novelist, short story writer and radio and television scriptwriter. Keene wrote over 50 novels and was the head writer for radio soap operas Little Orphan Annie and Kitty Keene, Inc. Several of his novels were adapted into movies, including Joy House and Chautauqua, released as The Trouble with Girls.