I'm curious as to what it was about this publication that makes it one of your favourites from that era? I've not read the book, but I've listened to a recording of Rutherford's "Face The Facts" talk at the Royal Albert Hall. In it he sounds pompous and arrogant, and his talk is strewn with political opinion. I find it difficult to imagine anyone being a fan of Rutherford or his writings in the modern age unless they are completely oblivious to any objective historical information about his character.
Cedars....that's an unfair assumption. It is one of my favorite "Rutherfordian" publications because it presents an interesting and dramatic demonstrance of how many people (namely, the Bible Students) reacted to the turbulent political climate of the time and it is also set just a few years after the Great Depression. You don't necessarily have to agree with someone's viewpoint or opine positively about their character...to enjoy and learn from their writings. Many people also enjoy reading about/listening to Hitler's "pompous" and "arrogant" "political opinion" though they are not "completely oblivious to any objective historical information about his character." Why? Because it's interesting to see such a charismatic and manipulative speaker in action and to see direct evidenceof the manipulative methodology employed during these time periods.
Here are some statements that I (personally) love from the "Face the Facts" brochure:
"Facts fully stated are never open to successful contradiction, and therefore they stand admitted."
"Because the full statement of the facts tends to shock the susceptibilities of some persons furnishes no excuse or justification to withhold from the public any part thereof.."
"When presented to the people, those hearing the facts should face the facts with calmness and sobriety and then sincerely take the course that is for their best interest."
"All nations of the earth face the same condition. No one, therefore, should be moved by prejudice or partiality against another because of race, nationality, or color." (considering the 58% unemployment rate of African-Americans and considerable deportation of immigrants to provide more jobs for White men during the Depression, this is very interesting)
"What is that hideous monstrosity? It is the totalitarian government or ruling power, which makes the State supreme, regiments all the people, rules them by arbitrary dictators, compels all to render complete obedience thereto,.." (very reminisicent of George Orwell's, 1984)
Sorry for the long response....but I just wanted to show that my reasons are not as ludicrous as perhaps originally perceived. This is history in context! I love this stuff.
EDIT: Cedars....I can't help but feel somewhat alarmed and offended at your condescending tone and the numerous assumptions you've asserted about my character repeatedly and without justification.
It sound more than a bit confrontational, and pre-supposes that you have facts we need to "face."
Assumption #1
I find it difficult to imagine anyone being a fan of Rutherford or his writings in the modern age unless they are completely oblivious to any objective historical information about his character.
Assumption #2
Notice the insulting assumption that I am somehow oblivious and ignorant of the historical character of Rutherford when a): I am well aware and well studied in this era of history b): a person's character is of complete irrelevance to an individual's ability to learn, enjoy, or benefit in any form from said person's writings
Hence the complete hypocrisy in the following statement:
I still find it hard to understand why anyone would genuinely enjoy reading an entire book of this rubbish. But, each to his own. The world is such a wonderful place because we are all different.
This is a paradox if I've ever seen one. Because you can't separate an author's character from the historical/moral import of his writings it is somehow "hard to understand why anyone would genuinely enjoy reading an entire book" of this "rubbish (your opinion) and therefore anyone who does enjoy such reading is judged accordingly. Then, you attempt to deflate your own hasty generalization by stating "the world is such a wonderful place because we are all different" and yet previously you declared the book "rubbish" and "pompous" and "arrogant" since they are the "bigoted rantings of a psychopathic maniac."
I am appalled by this reasoning, quite honestly.