We Gather Together: A Nation Divided, a President in Turmoil, and a Historic Campaign to Embracegratitude and Grace

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From Ancient Rome to 21st-century America, bestselling author Denise Kiernan explores the biography of gratitude, a compelling human instinct and global concept beyond just a holiday. Anchored in the strife of the Civil War, the narrative centers on Sarah Josepha Hale, a widowed mother without formal schooling who became a significant 19th-century tastemaker, campaigning for decades to establish an annual day of thanks. The story features a captivating cast, including Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and Sojourner Truth, highlighting tenacity and dedication in creating powerful legacies during challenging times. Hale, leading one of the nation's most widely read magazines, published notable authors like Edgar Allan Poe and introduced concepts such as "domestic science" and the Christmas tree. A prolific writer, Hale authored novels, essays, and the famous children's poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb," while persistently advocating for her vision of a national Thanksgiving. Ultimately, it was Lincoln, the president of a war-torn nation where Hale could not vote, who granted her wish. This illuminating work, part myth-busting and part call to action, invites readers to rethink gratitude's meaning today, drawing inspiration from the stories of indigenous peoples, immigrant communities, and activists. The book's message of gratitude, especially in tough times, makes it a timeless read to share throughout the year.