May His Tribe Increase: Creating a life after war

After surviving The Great Depression and World War II, the Greatest Generation knew enough not to bump up against a wound that was still raw. That leaves Eldie Craine and his brothers yearning to leave the past behind and build a future for their families together. But secrets have a way of surfacing. The return of their childhood friend, Ephraim is just the catalyst to make it happen.

“Reading Adela Crandell Durkee's book, May His Tribe Increase, was a privilege.With just a few strokes of her gifted pen, she has taken me back to the early fifties: the daily routines, problems and solutions of the rural farming people. Their courage. Their strength.Their hope. With masterful hands, Durkee weaves their lives together with small touches of the wider news—the recent and very personal war, the present Korean War, the McCarthy Era—into a story that wraps around you like a warm, familiar quilt.The characters are so real, so believable, that you feel as though you've just been allowed one more precious visit with beloved relatives long gone.This is a story for anyone who wishes to live—or re-live—those years just after the close of WWII. When prosperity was on the horizon. When the rural families of America were putting down the roots that would stabilize an entire continent. May His Tribe Increase was an absolute joy to read!” — Diane Tolley is the award winning author of six novels including, Abigail, Faith Amid Fury. She claims to avoid reality by creating worlds.

“May His Tribe Increase weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and resilience, the essence of what it means to be human. Adela Crandell Durkee brings a rich cast of characters to life in stories that intertwine revealing the timeless strength of family bonds and the enduring power of hope. With her finely wrought, lyrical prose and empathy, Durkee takes us on a journey through the heartland of America, exploring the complexities of identity, heritage, and belonging. This novel is not just a story, but an experience—a journey through time that is both intimate and universal. It speaks to the struggles and triumphs of everyday life, making the ordinary feel extraordinary. May His Tribe Increase is a moving testament to the spirit that connects us all. I wholeheartedly recommend this remarkable book to anyone who cherishes stories that linger long after the last page is turned. I can smell the liver and onions, hear the snap of laundry being pinned to a clothesline, feel the pathos and tender care, and sense the depth of quiet courage and much more.” — Dr. Judith Wright is the founder of SOFIA (Society of Feminity in Action) and is an award winning public speaker and author of The Heart of the Fight and Transformed.

“May His Tribe Increase by Adela Crandell Durkee explores family, friendship, and resilience in mid-20th century rural America. Through richly drawn characters like Rita, Eldridge, and Ephraim, Durkee weaves a tapestry of intertwined lives, reflecting the complexities of love, faith, and the unspoken struggles of their world. From births and baptisms to farm chores and family gatherings, the novel captures the quiet heroism of everyday people navigating the aftermath of war, cultural differences, and personal loss. This novel is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, highlighting the promise of new beginnings." — Jacqueline Saper is award-winning author of From Miniskirt to Hijab: A Girl in Revolutionary Iran