Summary

Despite Lindbergh’s promise to keep America out of all wars, he instituted a peacetime draft and makes military training mandatory for all 18-year-olds. Meanwhile, he created the Office of American Absorption (OAA), which was ostensibly meant to introduce city youth to voluntary farming programs. Sandy wanted to sign up for the OAA’s Just Folks program, in which he would live on a farm in Kentucky for a summer. Lionel Bengelsdorf was appointed the head of the New Jersey branch of the OAA, and Philip’s Aunt Evelyn—Bess’ sister—became romantically involved with Bengelsdorf. Herman was wary of the OAA, since it’s a federal office, but Evelyn thought that the experience would be good for Sandy. Meanwhile, Alvin fought in Europe against the Nazis and lost his left leg below the knee in combat. He was then sent to an English...