A Secret Gift

How One Man's Kindness - and a Trove of Letters - Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression

By: Ted Gup

Narrated by: Mark Deaking

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

An inspiring account of America at its worst - and Americans at their best - woven from the stories of Depression-era families who were helped by gifts from the author's generous and secretive grandfather.

Shortly before Christmas 1933, in Depression-scarred Canton, Ohio, a small newspaper ad offered $10, no strings attached, to 75 families in distress. Interested readers were asked to submit letters describing their hardships to a benefactor calling himself Mr. B. Virdot. The author's grandfather, Sam Stone, was inspired to place this ad and assist his fellow Cantonians as they prepared for the cruelest Christmas most of them would ever witness.

Moved by the tales of suffering and expressions of hope contained in the letters, which he discovered in a suitcase 75 years later, Ted Gup initially set out to unveil the lives behind them, searching for records and relatives all over the country who could help him flesh out the family sagas hinted at in those letters. From these sources, Gup has re-created the impact that Mr B. Virdot's gift had on each family. Many people yearned for bread, coal, or other necessities, but many others received money from B. Virdot for more fanciful items: a toy horse, say, or a set of encyclopedias. As Gup's investigations revealed, all these things had the power to turn people's lives around- even to save them.

But as he uncovered the suffering and triumphs of dozens of strangers, Gup also learned that Sam Stone was far more complex than the lovable retiree persona he'd always shown his grandson. Gup unearths deeply buried details about Sam's life - from his impoverished, abusive upbringing to felonious efforts to hide his immigrant origins from U.S. officials - that help explain why he felt such a strong affinity to strangers in need.

©2010 Ted Gup (P)2010 Random House Audio

The Story of My Hometown Before Me

As a businessman whose company barely, and perhaps should not have, survived the Great Recession of 2007 - 2010+, I could feel some kinship to many of the stories told by some of the people in this narrative, but I most likely would have passed on listening this book had the setting been different. The fact that these stories took place in my hometown of Canton, Ohio made it impossible to not listen to it. I am so glad I did not miss this book. For a Canton native it is a must to hear the stories of strife and struggle of our city before, during and after the Great Depression. I know for a fact that my parents, as young pre teens in Canton during these times, went through the same struggles as those who wrote the letters contained in this history of the city. I grew hearing a few a the stories of depression and subsequent war years and going to bed without food for supper. We as kids, as contrast, never went to bed hungry as my parents vowed to always have food in the house and on the table. Their memories of their childhood in the early years must have driven them to make this so. So for me this story was poignant on numerous levels that, before reading this wonderland book, I did not take the time to appreciate. This book will give you pause for reflection of your own fortunes and trials and probably mist up your eyes more than once, especially if you hail from this northeastern Ohio steel town.

Very nice gift. No expectation of public praise.

Where does A Secret Gift rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the better ones.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting thing to me was how Sam needed to remake himself in order for his compassion to emerge. The least interesting was some of the stories where the author went out further into extended family than I found compelling or useful.

Have you listened to any of Mark Deaking’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, No, but the grim lives of the devastated hard working people,as told in each story brought to life in me, a baby boomer, a more realistic appreciation for the struggles for survival faced by average Americans.
It also made more real how possible economic collapse is in the U.S.A. can be. These thoughts are slowly sinking in.

Any additional comments?

No

okay

Interesting story line, but I was bored in spots! I wouldn't recommend it! Great idea for the depression times

Such a GOOD BOOK

There is so much to this true story! It really makes you think about the Depression and the difficulties many people had and the way history played out. Loved this book!

Great for true story, history, genealogy lovers

Really enjoyed. Jewish history added flavor. Loved the investigative detail. Appreciated nuanced characters. Good narrator.

Good listen

Enjoyable, makes you thankful .
I don't have anything else to say , or write. It was a good book.say goodnight Gracie

WONDERFUL!!!

This was an incredible find!! I enjoyed listening to the story told by the proud Grandson of a very generous man.