{"product_id":"the-last-town-on-earth-9780812975925","title":"The Last Town on Earth","description":"Set against the backdrop of one of the most virulent epidemics that America ever experienced-the 1918 flu epidemic-Thomas Mullen's powerful, sweeping first novel is a tale of morality in a time of upheaval. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDeep in the mist-shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest is a small mill town called Commonwealth, conceived as a haven for workers weary of exploitation. For Philip Worthy, the adopted son of the town's founder, it is a haven in another sense-as the first place in his life he's had a loving family to call his own. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAnd yet, the ideals that define this outpost are being threatened from all sides. A world war is raging, and with the fear of spies rampant, the loyalty of all Americans is coming under scrutiny. Meanwhile, another shadow has fallen across the region in the form of a deadly illness striking down vast swaths of surrounding communities. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen Commonwealth votes to quarantine itself against contagion, guards are posted at the single road leading in and out of town, and Philip Worthy is among them. He will be unlucky enough to be on duty when a cold, hungry, tired-and apparently ill-soldier presents himself at the town's doorstep begging for sanctuary. The encounter that ensues, and the shots that are fired, will have deafening reverberations throughout Commonwealth, escalating until every human value-love, patriotism, community, family, friendship-not to mention the town's very survival, is imperiled. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eInspired by a little-known historical footnote regarding towns that quarantined themselves during the 1918 epidemic, \u003ci\u003eThe Last Town on Earth\u003c\/i\u003e is a remarkably moving and accomplished debut.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Random House Trade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/31\/2007\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780812975925\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 404\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.90lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.90h x 5.10w x 1.10d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/19\/2007 pg. 20\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Thomas Mullen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36644435493020,"sku":"9780812975925","price":14.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_806c6dd5-899b-465e-8340-2fde9085c20f.jpg?v=1603858628","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-last-town-on-earth-9780812975925","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}