Am Ufer des Ruhmes

This Side of Glory is the third and final installment of Gwen Bristow's celebrated family saga about the Larne and Upjohn families. Set in the early 20th century on the eve of and during World War I, it follows Eleanor Upjohn, a modern and practical working-class girl, and Kebra Larne, a descendant of a poor but proud plantation aristocracy.

Their marriage is fraught with deep social and class differences from the very beginning. While the Larne family clings to tradition and the past, the Ardeith estate falls into heavy debt. With the outbreak of war in Europe and the sudden rise in the price of cotton, Eleanor takes over the management of the estate and saves the family from ruin with her enterprise and determination. However, financial success creates a rift between the spouses, as Kebra suffers from a sense of inadequacy, and the outbreak of war leads him to decide to go to the front in Europe, leaving Eleanor to struggle alone with family intrigues and secrets.

Gwen Bristow masterfully depicts the demise of the Old South and the birth of the modern age in this novel. Through the character of the strong and independent Eleanor, the author explores themes of female emancipation, bridging class divisions, and the power of forgiveness in the struggle to preserve love and family amidst turbulent historical changes.