A Secret Gift: How One Man's Kindness & a Trove of Letters Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression

by Ted Gup

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. Drawing on his unique find and his award-winning reportorial gifts, Ted Gup solves a singular family mystery even while he pulls away the veil of eight decades that separate us from the hardships that united America during the Depression. In A Secret Gift , he weaves these revelations seamlessly into a tapestry of Depression-era America, which will fascinate and inspire in equal measure.

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Genres: Nonfiction, History, Book Club, Biography, Memoir, Historical, Christmas

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Ted Gup is the author of A Secret Gift, (Penguin Press, 2010) and two previous books: Nation of Secrets: The Threat to Democracy and the American Way of Life (Doubleday, 2007) winner of the Goldsmith Book Prize from Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government, and the bestseller, The Book of Honor: Covert Lives And Classified Deaths At The CIA (Doubleday, 2000.) He is a former investigative reporter for The Washington Post where he worked under Bob Woodward. He later wrote for Time magazine covering Congress, the environment, and served as Washington investigative correspondent."

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure where I first heard the name Ted Gup. It could have been a Goodreads friend, or it could have been an article by that author written more recently. When I investigated his name more closely, I discovered he’d written a book, this book, in 2010 about discovering a suitcase of letters in his grandmother’s attic. I’d recently had that experience, finding a huge trove of WWI memorabilia behind a wall in my great aunt’s attic: notes and photos from the front and letters back describing a 1918 adherence to government rationing on meat consumption which led families to resort to eating woodchuck.

Gup’s experience was different. The letters he found were in response to an ad placed in a newspaper in the height of the Depression in Canton, Ohio close on Christmas 1933. The ad invited readers to send a letter to a Mr. B. Virdot describing their hardships. Mr. Virdot promised to send a gift to 50-75 individuals whose identities “would always remain secret.” “There is a question in my mind whether I would accept charity directly offered by welfare organizations,” he wrote. “I know there are hundreds of men faced with economic problems who think, feel and act the same way.”

Mr. B. Virdot was Ted Gup’s grandfather, who lied for years about his origins and his name. This book is the story of uncovering that history, and of finding and fleshing out histories of the families whom Mr. Virdot helped that Christmas in 1933. How many letters were delivered to the paper in response to the advert is not recorded. Initially Mr. Virdot had intended to respond to 50-75 letters but the numbers and the needs were so great that Virdot halved the amount to each family and doubled the number of recipients to exhaust the $750 dollars he had deposited in an account at Canton’s George D. Harter Bank. Some of the 150 letters are reprinted in this account along with a backstory of the individual asking for aid.

"...it was the smallness of B. Virdot's gift--a mere five dollars--that was its magic, not an act of governmental grandiosity but a gesture of human compassion."

I am reluctant to reveal the history of Sam Stone, as Mr. B. Virdot was known in real life, because his history is so tied in with American history at the turn of the last century and is the reason behind my fascination with this book. Sam Stone’s history began for his grandson only when he appeared in Ohio, at age thirty. The years before were shrouded in mist and this book reveals how that happened. It took years of research to uncover that history, crisscrossing the east coast searching for clues. The truth lies in a dark period in America when xenophobia, anti-immigration policies, discrimination, and suspicion were aimed at immigrants suspected of carrying the contagion of radicalism. The period described here would be a terrific setting for a novel. Writers, take note!

Sam Stone, writing in the newspaper ad as Mr. B. Virdot, had experienced hardship. Because of that, he opened his heart and his wallet to try and ease the lives of those he saw suffering around him. How did B. Virdot have $750 in cash to hand out at that time? Well, the truth of it was that he didn’t have much. His business as a clothing store salesman had suffered enormous setbacks, e.g., fire, theft, and collapse in 1929. But Sam Stone was grateful that his business had a good year in 1933, and he wanted to share the wealth. His grandson tells us that for the rest of his life “nothing, in his view, beat the hot dogs at Woolworth’s lunch counter.”

This story is significant for a number of reasons, but perhaps most importantly it allows one to wander years not so far distant in our nation’s history when people saw widespread deprivation first hand and suffered the indignities of poverty. “There is no romanticizing the wreckage it wrought,” Gup writes. “But it also rid us of our sense of entitlement and made us take inventory of our intangible wealth. The Depression was like a great anvil upon which our national character was beaten into shape. It forged an indomitable spirit we later recognized as ‘The Greatest Generation.’”

In one of the photos included in the book, and in one of the last family histories, Gup recounts his conversation with the youngest of the letter-writers to Mr. B. Virdot. Helen Palm was fourteen when she answered the ad placed by B. Virdot.

"My father does not want to ask for charity. But us children would like to have some clothing for Christmas…If you should send me Ten Dollars I would buy clothing and buy the Christmas dinner and supper. I thank you. Helen Palm"

Gup found Helen Palm, now Helen Kintz Grant, in a nursing home just outside of Canton. Upon receiving the five dollars, she said in 2010, “I went right down and bought a pair of shoes.” She’d been cutting out the shape of her sole from an empty shredded-wheat cereal box and inserting into her shoes. The rest of the money went to taking her family out to eat.

[Jeannette Gloge · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had a very interesting premise. However, I found a lot of redundency in reading the book. I felt like I was being hit over the head many times with the same phrases and wording. How may times does the writer have to spell out that many people do not like to accept charity, but would like to work for a living! I know the content of the letters are repetative, but does the writer also have to hammer the words in his script as well.

Also, I felt the writer was enamored of this journey into discovering his grandfather's life's secrets, but, I thought this could more realisticly be portrayed to the public in a magazine article or a much shorter book. This personal journy was not that appealing to me.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is set in the Great Depression and one man decided to hand out anonymously $5 gifts to needy people. This is probably like $100 today. It's very touching what an impact that gift made in so many lives. It follows up what happened to the receivers and what difference it made in their lives through interviews with children and grandchildren.

I think this would be ideal for a magazine article but in a book it was just too much. Letter after letter full of woe. It's just heartbreaking. I have my parents stories of the Depression and how it influenced their lives. My mother never threw any tinfoil away to my knowledge. The author also makes a point of saying on almost every letter that they didn't have indoor plumbing. I don't think indoor plumbing was common in those days. My parents both had outhouses so it's not quite the outrage the author makes it to be.

Still it is nice to be reminded how the smallest gifts can make a difference.

[Laurie DelaCruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading a book that makes you stop and think about your life and your mindset and your blessings. I couldn't stop reading this book, because it was so compelling, so fascinating, to get an intimate look into people's personal stories of life during the Great Depression. That period has always fascinated me, and this book illuminates it in an amazing fashion. The author has a very personal reason for writing it, but that only helps him dig deeper to find answers. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

[Rachel Bayles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully researched stories about the Great Depression. Will make you appreciate every meal, piece of clothing, paid utility bill, and all the creature comforts. Which is really how it should be. Ted Gup is to be applauded. He has done a wonderful thing bringing his grandfather's story to light.

[MD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I was born in Canton and grew up there and in nearby North Canton; and because I like reading about historical events and times. I had hoped to find a window into the Depression-era Canton my father and his family lived in through these letters. I was also intrigued to find out what the "hidden" history was.

I learned a few things about Canton that I didn't know, but not much new about the Depression - certainly nothing that qualified as a hidden history. Aside from the letters that were quoted, for the most part the information was an impersonal recounting of names, places, dates, and events - the kind of history that turned me off on the subject when I was in school. Perhaps this is because the author is a journalist rather than a storyteller. But it was fun to discover that for a year and a half I attended the same elementary school as the author (Belle Stone). And to remember the fun of going to Meyers Lake and being afraid of Laffing Sal. Another thing that struck home was the statement by some who were children then that they didn't realize they were poor - that it seemed normal to them.

I found it interesting that so many of the respondents actually wanted a job more than a handout. In retrospect, it doesn't surprise me. Information in the book reminded me of some things I'd heard as a child such as an aunt who reminded us sometimes that she and her siblings were tickled to get so much as a pair of socks for Christmas. She would have been about 10 in 1933. My Dad would have been 7, and as an adult I remember him once saying to me regarding his achievement as the family provider: "You kids didn't have much, but at least you didn't go hungry." I agree with the author that America was truly transformed by entitlement programs.

A large proportion of the book is devoted to the author's grandfather - his life story from his birth in Roumania and his family's flight because of persecution of Jews there to his death as a wealthy but still-working retiree in his 90s and the author's musings on how it related to his decision to run the ad that the book is based around. This is the closest the book comes to telling a story, but it seemed more like an analysis than a story.

I'm guessing that people who like essays and who liked history in school will like this book more than I did. I plan to pass my copy along to relatives who still live in Canton who may also find it worth reading for the bit of Canton history it provides.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me a huge insight about the Depression. This book is about a man, Sam Stone, who places an ad under a false name in the Canton, Ohio newspaper offering $10 to 75 needy families for Christmas in 1933 if people will write to him and explain why they need the money. He had so many replies he decided to help 150 families with $5 each. The author intermingles Sam's life story with the stories of the people who wrote the letters to Sam. The letters were stored in a suitcase which was given to Sam's grandson after his death. He spent countless hours tracking down what happened to the writers of the letters and their descendants and shares their stories in each chapter. I seriously had no idea how hard things were for families who lost everything when banks failed and then lost their jobs. The wisdom of storing food and other basic necessities is so prophetic and we would be wise to follow this counsel given by the church.
Interesting quote about the role of the government at the time:
"Those who did not share...good fortune had their own network to fall back on. It was called family, the church, or, at its most extended reach, the community. But one in distress did not generally look to the government. In 1933 the government was still seen as distant and removed, and, given the experience of many immigrants in the Old World, so much the better."

How different from our current America, the land of entitlement, where the government is expected to take care of every problem.

[Josh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gup does a masterful job of uncovering the "behind-the-scenes" story of this Depression era setting of an act of anonymous generosity which helped many families in the Canton area in 1933. That the benefactor was the author's grandfather added to the fascination.

While reading this book, I was struck again and again with the utter poverty that abounded everywhere in this country during the Depression years. We, in our flushed prosperity today, cannot even comprehend how little most people survived on. The character of most people kept them from looking for a handout. Nearly every single person back then WANTED to work but there was so little work to be had.

Years ago, I read the book "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw, a book about the World War 2 era people. I was fascinated by the fortitude epitomized by that generation. There was a line in this book that helped me to realize why that generation was known as the greatest generation. It was because most of these people grew up in The Great Depression. Their character was forged by hardness, trials, and utter scarcity early in life.

These same men and women rose up and helped to defeat the evil of the Nazi regime spreading around the world.

An excellent read and one that I would recommend to those who love a history that tells a story and shows the character of the people of a nation.

[Cailean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book! The premise was unique and inspiring. I sympathized with the author's uncovering of his grandfather's background, and the discovery of his charitable gift. However, I soon realized the book was too disjointed to allow the stories to shine through. I recognized he wanted to weave the stories of those struggling with the Great Depression's hardships along with his grandfather's background and secrets, but it was not done well. The chapter segues were awkward, and he repeated the same sentiments (sometimes with the same identical words/sentences) too often. I have a feeling his past successes as an author made it so this one wasn't edited much, or at all. Sometimes it felt like each chapter was a newspaper article vs. an entire book written as its own entity. If you are at all interested in the Depression, in Ohio's history in the '20s-'30s, or in early immigration then you might find some gems in this book. Had this book gone through a few more edits and some reorganization, it could have been fascinating.

[Lynn G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book serves as a biography of a town, a time, and a man. The town is Dayton, OH; the time is The Great Depression, more specifically Christmas 1933; and the man, known variously as Mr. B. Virdot, Sam Stone, Sam Finkelstein, and Sambo. However, the book transcends all of that and encompasses shared lives of hard times, secrets, generosity, and resilience.

It is difficult to read the letters contained within this book and not be changed by the accounts of abject poverty, tragedy, self-reliance, self-respect, and hope. So many people were lifted out of the depths of utter despair, even if just for a brief moment, by one man's generosity to and love of his fellow human beings, the love of his adopted country, and his unbridled hope for the future.

The book was undertaken by the author as a means to solve the huge unknown that was his grandfather Sam Stone's past. Author Gup discovered that his grandfather was much more than the man he knew all of his life. He was flawed, he was a liar, he was remarkable.

The Secret Gift is tough and touching. A good read.

[Kay Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

A business man decides to give $10 gifts to the neediest families in Canton Ohio in 1934. In 200? his grandson finds a suitcase of letters from those needing help and decides to follow up on the families. Interesting idea, good New Yorker article but not enough there for a 300 page book. The stories are all the same, there's no enlightenment about the depression and the grandson tries to make the story more exciting by hyping his grandfather's lack of citizenship. I can't decide if the book doesn't work because the story isn't there or because the writer couldn't find it. I compared it to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks where the author, a college kid, who humanizes the entire Lacks family with her luminous writing. Maybe she could have found the right story in the suitcase.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed it so much that when it disappeared during my recent move, I was more than annoyed. I'm anxious to finish it as soon as it turns up, but my review will be the same, no matter what. Simply put, this is just a captivating book. It's a fascinating look into the lives of every day people during the depression. It's the story of a generous man, who wasn't immune to the troubles of the time, but a man who, during the Christmas of 1933, found himself better off than most people. Because of that, he wanted to do something to help others.

The letters what were sent to B. Virdot are tender and poignant. This was such a different time. People didn't want handouts, they wanted work to support their families. They were proud and honest. There was no sense of entitlement.

An interesting and enlightening book about a dark and difficult time in America's history, but also a sentimental story of hope and the kindness of others.

[Laura Hungerford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say this was 2.5 stars. I liked it, but I'm not wild about. I love the premise and the idea of a generous man anonymously helping out those who needed it the most in the middle of the depression, but I somewhat annoyed with the writing. I felt like the author was somewhat spoonfeeding us the details of Sam Stone's background and I would have rather come to my own conclusions about his kindness. That's just me though. I love hearing about the different people affected by the gift of the $5 and the stories of their descendants. It was a bit challenging to keep all the people, dates, and locations straight but to make it easier you would have had to leave some people out. My conclusion is good, but not as great as I had hoped.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very excited about this book but it was a little bit of a let down. It was good when the author stuck to telling the stories about the people from the letters. But he often strayed from their stories to insert his own opinion and he seemed to feel the need to remind the reader how horrible the depression was(which wasn't needed as just reading about the families and their dire situations as the reader it was very clear that they were in a depression). At the end of the book the author provides his website where he has posted all of the letters, I would recommed just going there and reading the letters as they are the best and most interesting part.

[Kelsey Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm writing a novel that partially takes place in Canton during the Great Depression, and this was an absolutely fabulous book for my purposes. I love letters, family histories, and family mysteries as well, so it kept my interest riveted. It was touching and gave eye-opening insight into the mindset of the times. The details about life in Canton are invaluable to me. I will be rereading it!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is difficult to read about the hardships that faced the nation in 1933, but it is always good to learn from our history. Ultimately, this book shows many facets of the goodness of humanity. Recommended.

[marcus miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather interesting story which combines stories from the Great Depression along with some unique family history. Gup tells the story of being given a box of papers belonging to his grandfather. When he gets around to looking through them he discovers his grandfather had made an offer in the midst of the Depression. Placing an ad in the Canton, OH newspaper, Gup's grandfather offered to give small amounts of money to people suffering from the Depression. The ad was targeted towards those who had been prosperous but who were now suffering.
The materials Gup had included the letters people had written, describing their circumstances and explaining why they needed help. So many people wrote in that instead of giving $10 each, he gave $5 to those he decided to help. Gup then sets out to find the descendants of the families who received help. He also describes some of the circumstances behind why the families needed help. Along with this part of the story, Gup also tries to find out more about his grandfather who kept part of his life hidden.
If I rated this book after the first 100 pages I might have given it four stars, or maybe even five. By the time I finished I found parts of it to be repetitive to the point of becoming tedious.
Still the book offers some valuable insights into the Depression and its impacts on families and the town of Canton. Reading it in the midst of our current recession makes it seem a bit more relevant. The book also offers a story of how one man, through a rather simple gift made a big impact on the lives of many people.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas season has long been known as the season of giving. When we think of holiday giving we usually think of what to give our loved ones, the boss, or perhaps to a charitable organization. During the Great Depression giving of any kind was an option for very few. The unique exemption was found in Canton Ohio in an ad placed by a Mr. Virdot. A few days before Christmas 1933 Mr. Virdot placed an ad in the paper in which he invited readers to describe their hardships and seventy five readers would be rewarded with a cash gift. Over seventy five years later the letters made their way into the hands of investigative reporter, Ted Gup. The letters it seemed belonged to his grandfather, Sam Stone. Gup’s investigation resulted in A Secret Gift: How One Man’s Kindness – and a Trove of Letters- Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression. Gup not only presents readers with an extraordinary account of the Great Depression he also painstakingly researches the lives of those who wrote letters and were the recipients of the cash prizes. Along the way Gup also uncovers some dark family secrets. A Secret Gift is a thought provoking look at the past as well as timely look at similarities between the current economic crisis and the Great Depression. A Secret Gift will inspire readers to contemplate great suffering and hardships as well as great compassion and the importance of community.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story of giving during the Depression. Quotes like: "but it was the smallness of B.Virdot's gift--a mere five dollars--that have its magic; not an act of governmental grandiosity but a gesture of human compassion." Got a little repetitive though, and I didn't finish it.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

i did like this book, but it took me a LONG time to get through it. the premise of the book is that the author's grandfather gave a gift of money at christmas time to a number of families during the great depression after they wrote to him in response to an ad he put in the paper. the author tracks down the living family members of the recipients and recounts their history since then as well as simultaneously telling his grandfather's story whose life was shrouded in mystery the whole time he knew him. it was a really interesting premise (although perhaps a bit more interesting in theory than in the writing of it)and overall, i found parts of it to be really inspirational. although, i found that he really hit us over the head again and again and again with the idea that it was so hard for people to accept charity back in that time and that most people would never take a hand out like today's impoverished. or something along those lines.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true account of a benevolent gentleman giving money to 75 needy families during a Christmas of the Great Depression. The author is the grandson of this "secret Santa" and in discovering the suitcase containing the ad his grandfather placed in the newspaper as well as the replies he also uncovers his hidden family history. I've not read much of this era and found the accounts of the people who replied both uplifting and admirable. They had so much pride in their work and keeping the family together; we should take notes from them.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. It really helped me grasp the reality of the Great Depression. I feel like I now have a better understanding of what my grandparents grew up in and what obstacles my great grandparents faced. A truly touching book that has inspired me to give more and be much more appreciative of what I have.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the author wove the letters with the local history of Canton, Ohio and its citizens during the Great Depression. I felt both despair and hope for the community members. I can't wait to take the tour that is being offered to view places in the book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so great for capturing the times in an engaging way. I highly recommend this for history lovers.

Note: This is not a Christian book and a couple of swear words. However the history was very good and worth it.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! One I definitely recommend!

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.

The book ended up being very repetitive. There was always a risk of that because of the content, but a more skillful narrator could have helped that. Instead it feels overlong, like where it really would have been perfect is as a New Yorker article.

However, the main disappointment was that I thought it would be more inspiring, whereas really there was a lot that wasn't. Yes, many lives were brightened momentarily by the $5 gifts, but there was still a lot of irreparable damage from the Great Depression, along with a lot of ugliness, racism, xenophobia, and othering, and so it not only isn't a great story from then but discouraging in how we haven't learned anything.

It might have worked better if the author had not told both the story of his grandfather's donations and the story of his grandfather's family and their dysfunctions -- the combination might have made everything more negative. To the author it seems fate that the information fell into the hands of him, a writer, but that also means it fell into the hands of someone who might have less perspective about what to trim.

There definitely were interesting things, but so many of them are frustrating, like the author marveling that some of his older family members still worry about antisemitism seizing the country again, which seems much less preposterous now, only a few years later.

So, yeah, it's not a bad book, but it's disappointing.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1933, in the middle of the Depression, a Jewish merchant, Sam Stone aka B Virdot, anonymously gave $5.00 to 150 needy people just before Christmas. Originally he had planned on giving $10.00 to half that many people. He put an ad in the Canton paper asking people to write their stories to him, and being overcome by the need decided to lower the amount and reach twice as many.
Seventy-five years later Sam's grandson, Ted Gup, learns of his grandfather's gifts via a suitcase filled with the letters he received. Intrigued by the story, he decided to learn more about the people who received the money. Searching newspapers, genealogy sources, records, etc., he found the descendants of the original people who got the $5.00. The book is about what he learned, how the money was spent, and how it affected the families that received the money.

[Sharon Moonbeam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories, during an interesting time in a place close to home, but I guess I found it too long and never did finish it. Still, you can tell it took a lot of time and effort to locate these families and write their stories. Great historical book.

[Tracey Kenard · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cool to read about the Great Depression in my home town of Canton, Ohio. I recognized so many streets, businesses, homes, etc. Heart touching with generosity for sure. I was amazed @ how $10 went so far back then.

[Shaunda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. A little hard going at times, but good.