The story of the trials and tribulations of the Joad family, forced to migrate from the Depression-era "dust bowl" of Oklahoma to California looking for work. The novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1940 and is considered one of the greatest American novels. The Battle Hymn of the Republic is appropriate for the endpapers since the phrase "the grapes of wrath" is part of the lyrics. John Steinbeck was so impressed by the work of illustrator Elmer Hader (1889-1973) that he requested Hader to create the cover. Hader eventually did covers for two other Steinbeck works, East of Eden (1952) and The Winter of Our Discontent (1961). Goldstone & Payne A12a. HBS 68515.
