Concerns Dreiser's efforts to publish his book America is worth saving (New York : Modern Age Books, 1941) and to satisfy, with the editorial assistance of prominent political activist Frederick Vanderbilt Field, the lengthy list of objections raised by his publisher's legal advisers to the book's contents and allay concerns that it might contain statements actionable for libel.
Typed on blue paper with printed letterhead "Theodore Dreiser".
Signed in blue ink "Theodore Dreiser."
"American is Worth Saving" was written in 1940 with the help of the British novelist Cedric Belfrage.
Thanking him for his support and assistance in the preparation of Dreiser's book, Is American democracy worth saving [published in 1941 under the title America is worth saving]; enclosing a list of 49 legal objections raised by [his publisher Modern Age Books' legal advisers] Greenbaum [Wolff & Ernst], along with his responses to each of their specific concerns; complaining that he has been unable to obtain a set of page proofs from his publisher to assist in the editing process; defending the credibility of his sources for his book, and citing a number of specific works consulted; expressing his desire to see his book published "before it is too late to be of use", and requesting Field's assistance in cutting or revising the test so as to clear the way for its speedy publication; letter concludes: "If with data before you, you can see your way to excise the book so as to make it acceptable and cause it to be rushed into book form, please proceed. I hate, in this instance most of all, to be once more suppressed."