Edward Everett Hale wrote The Man Without A Country in 1863 during one of the darkest times in our nation's history. At a time when our country was torn apart by war with brother fighting brother, Hale sought to illustrate the importance of one's country, by showing what it would be like to be without a country. In the story, a young man in the U.S. Military is lead astray by a power hungry traitor, who is intent on leading a rebellion against the government. The rebellion failed and the young officer was summarily court-martialed. When asked to speak during his sentencing, he replied that he wished to never hear of the United States again. The court granted his wish, and ordered that he never see or hear of his country again. The story then chronicles the remainder of the life of the man without a country.
