Here is a first-hand account of life in Philadelphia in the 1840s, as recorded in the diary of a prosperous citizen, Charles McKaraher. The author of this book is the namesake of his daughter, Helen Rosalie, who was married to Benjamin Reynolds. Helen Rosalie McKaraher (1820-1896) was the daughter of Charles and Eleanor Gethen McKaraher. Charles, who was a successful merchant and quite active in politics, wrote a personal diary from 1843 to 1845, which Ms. Blizard has transcribed verbatim. To give life to the diary entries, she skillfully added vignettes-her descriptive interpretations of the world surrounding the McKarahers, their conversations and observations. Of particular interest is the vivid description in his diary of the famous riots between the Irish and the so-called "Native Americans" in 1844. Spend time with the McKaraher family to see how they lived, worked and played. What a delight it is to transport oneself back in time to see such a pure, uncomplicated and modest lifestyle The family was the center of their social structure, and their lives revolved around that stable core. The text is embellished with charming pen and ink illustrations by the editor.