Keeping Up with William: In which the Honorable Socrates Potter Talks of the Relative Merits of Sense Common and Preferred: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Keeping Up with William: In which the Honorable Socrates Potter Talks of the Relative Merits of Sense Common and Preferred: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Keeping Up with William: In which the Honorable Socrates Potter Talks of the Relative Merits of Sense Common and Preferred is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Bacheller, Irving (1859–1950).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Keeping Up with William" by Irving Bacheller is a novel written in the early 20th century, specifically during the tumultuous period of World War I. The narrative revolves around the reflections and conversations of Socrates Potter, a country lawyer who discusses societal and moral issues in light of the war. Primarily, the book critiques the concept of "Williamism," a metaphorical representation of the pride and arrogance associated with inherited superiority, particularly in the context of German militarism. In this book, the protagonist Socrates Potter engages in a deep examination of contemporary societal values, contrasting the productive toil of past generations with what he perceives as the idle, self-indulgent behaviors of modern individuals, particularly women. Through a series of anecdotes and philosophical discussions, Potter highlights the dangers of inherited superiority and the importance of common sense and democracy. He illustrates how the quest for superiority can lead to moral decay, comparing various characters and societal behaviors to underline the fundamental truths about human nature, responsibility, and the consequences of neglecting one’s conscience. The narrative serves not only as a critique of contemporary society but also as a call for introspection and action during times of conflict.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Keeping Up with William: In which the Honorable Socrates Potter Talks of the Relative Merits of Sense Common and Preferred
- Author credits: Bacheller, Irving (1859–1950)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- World War, 1914-1918
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


