Okay, let's clear up the title first. This isn't a book by an author called 'Unknown.' It's an anthology, a 'best of' collection for the year 1917, edited by a critic named Edward J. O'Brien. He read hundreds of stories from magazines all year and picked what he thought were the absolute best. The book also includes his 'Yearbook' section—a kind of literary report card on American magazines and writers that year. So, you're getting two things: a bunch of great stories and a snapshot of the literary world as it was.

The Story

There isn't one plot, because it's a collection of over twenty stories by different authors. But a clear theme runs through them. Since 1917 was the year America joined World War I, many stories naturally deal with war—not just battles, but the tension on the home front, the goodbyes, the fear, and the changing roles of women. Other stories step away from the war to explore classic American themes of small-town life, romance, social class, and personal struggle. You might read a tense tale about a soldier in a trench one moment, and a quiet, character-driven piece about a misunderstanding in a New England village the next. O'Brien had an eye for quality, so the writing is consistently strong, ranging from stark realism to more atmospheric, emotional styles.

Why You Should Read It

This is where the book shines for me. Reading it isn't just about the stories as isolated pieces of fiction. It's about the context. You get to see what kinds of characters readers cared about, what problems seemed urgent, and how writers tried to make sense of a chaotic world. There's a raw, immediate quality to some of these stories that you don't always get in historical accounts written later. You feel the uncertainty, the patriotism, the dread, and the hope. It's also fascinating to see which famous writers made the cut (like Sherwood Anderson or Susan Glaspell) and discover talented writers who aren't widely read today. The editor's notes add another layer, showing you what a critic of the time valued in a good story.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for history buffs who want to go beyond dates and treaties, for writers interested in the evolution of the short story form, and for any curious reader who loves the idea of literary time travel. It's not a light, breezy read—some stories feel dated in their style or attitudes—but that's part of its power. If you enjoy peeling back the layers of a period and listening to the voices from the page, this collection is a unique and rewarding experience. Just be ready to step into a different world.