Chapter 14 Summary and Analysis

The U.S. is at war when Russell starts college. In 1939, when Germany invades Poland, Russell doesn't believe it has anything to do with the U.S., but Herb is sure the U.S. will join in. With the war news, Lucy makes Russell try to sell the extra papers the newspaper charges him for. In fifteen minutes, every paper sells. Russell's knowledge of and interest in politics and culture are limited. He sees Mussolini and Hitler as bad guys and Americans as good guys. He has infinite confidence in America's goodness and ability, with an unclear picture of the rest of the world. The high school Honor Society promptly rejects him when he reveals that he's never even heard of Trotsky and barely knows who Stalin is, despite his high marks.

Lombard Street stands in contrast to Russell's intellectual classmates...