The Story of Leather

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25823

Title

The Story of Leather

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A young athlete forced to work in his father's tannery discovers the dignity of labor and the value of character over academic grades. Through hardship and friendship, he learns that real education comes from experience, leading to a journey of self-discovery and family reconciliation.

Summary up to 500 words

In Sara Ware Bassett's *The Story of Leather*, the narrative follows Peter Coddington, a talented but academically struggling high school student facing expulsion from his football team due to poor grades. His stern father, Mr. Coddington, an industrialist who owns a local tannery, sends Peter to work there to teach him responsibility. Initially resentful of the tannery's environment, Peter finds purpose after assuming the duties of a sick coworker, Nat Jackson, and his family. By supporting Nat's household, Peter earns the trust of the workers and discovers the fulfillment of hard work. Mr. Coddington soon realizes his son has matured significantly. The story culminates in a profound revelation: the Coddington and Jackson families share a deep historical connection dating back to the Civil War. Mr. Coddington's grandfather was saved by the Jackson family during the war, resolving long-standing tensions between the North and South. Recognizing the debt owed to the Jacksons, Mr. Coddington arranges a trip to England for Peter and Nat to study the leather industry, furthering their education. The narrative emphasizes themes of integrity, the importance of character, and the idea that life itself is the ultimate classroom. Peter eventually realizes that his identity has shifted from the privileged heir, Peter Coddington, to the dedicated worker, Peter Strong. He chooses to remain at the tannery to help Nat climb the ladder, valuing fairness and real-world experience over formal schooling. The novel concludes with the family sailing to England, where Peter and Nat will learn from global industry leaders, while Mr. Coddington acknowledges that Peter has taught him more about character building than he ever could have himself. The story serves as a moral tale about humility, gratitude, and the dignity of labor.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-05 16:40 UTC

Categories

• Juvenile literature
• Leather