House of Truth, The

By Brad Snyder

Book Description

In early twentieth-century Washington, D.C., an extraordinary gathering of minds transformed American political thought from within the walls of a modest row house on 19th Street. The House of Truth chronicles the remarkable intellectual community that emerged around this unlikely headquarters, where future Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. joined brilliant young thinkers like Walter Lippmann and Felix Frankfurter for spirited dinner conversations that would reshape the nation's understanding of government and individual liberty.

Brad Snyder reveals how this diverse circle of influential figures, including Louis Brandeis, Herbert Hoover, and New Republic founder Herbert Croly, navigated the profound shift from progressive ideals to modern liberalism between 1912 and 1933. Their debates centered on fundamental questions about the role of government in protecting workers while preserving civil liberties, ultimately exploring how institutions might serve both social justice and individual rights.

Through the lens of Holmes's groundbreaking legal dissents and the group's evolving philosophy, this narrative demonstrates how personal relationships and intimate intellectual exchanges can generate ideas that transform society. The story illustrates how a small community of dedicated thinkers, united by their commitment to truth-seeking and democratic ideals, influenced the trajectory of American governance during a pivotal era of national change.

For readers interested in how individual consciousness and collective wisdom intersect to create lasting social transformation, this book offers profound insights into the power of authentic dialogue and shared purpose.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~23 hours)

📄 Length: 811 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Explore 20th Century
✓ Explore United States -- Politics and government -- 1919-1933
✓ Explore Washington (d.c.), social life and customs
✓ Explore Manners and customs
✓ Explore Politicians -- United States -- Biography
✓ Explore Biography
✓ Explore Politicians
✓ Explore Political culture

Topics Covered

20th Century United States -- Politics and government -- 1919-1933 Washington (d.c.), social life and customs Manners and customs Politicians -- United States -- Biography Biography Politicians Political culture Liberalism HISTORY Social life and customs Washington (D.C.) -- Intellectual life -- 20th century Salons -- Washington (D.C.) -- History -- 20th century United states, intellectual life Politics and government United States -- Politics and government -- 1913-1921 Intellectual life Intellectuals Salons Liberalism -- United States -- History -- 20th century Political Ideologies POLITICAL SCIENCE Washington (D.C.) -- Politics and government -- 20th century Intellectuals -- United States -- Biography Washington (D.C.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century Political culture -- Washington (D.C.) -- History -- 20th century Conservatism & Liberalism Politicians, united states