Since At Heaven's Gate is based in part on historical events surrounding the scandal involving Rogers Clark Caldwell, a powerful but unscrupulous financier whose company became bankrupt in 1929, one member of a discussion group might take on the responsibility of doing some research on this scandal, in which the main figures went to jail. Another person might research the life of Sergeant Alvin York, who was also on the fringe of the scandal and who served as the model for Private Porsum.

At any rate, it is worthwhile for discussants to know that Warren based many of the events of his novel on actuality, and, following the lead of a reporter friend, he even managed to interview Sergeant York. However, discussants might also want to look at At Heaven's Gate in the light of interesting parallels with more recent scandals in Southern business and politics, such...