Testimony of Two Men
by Taylor Caldwell
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A small-town doctor acquitted of murdering his pregnant wife faces new accusations in this classic set in the early days of modern medicine. Hambledon, Pennsylvania, is still reeling from the sensational murder trial that shattered the peace of the bucolic hamlet less than a year ago. Dr. Jonathan Ferrier was accused of killing his beautiful young wife after she died following a botched abortion. The scion of a powerful old eastern family, Jonathan hired the best attorneys money could buy. show more When he was acquitted, many believed he had bought his freedom. Now, he has returned home to sell his practice and move on. But haunted by his wife's death, Jonathan still strives to heal the judgmental people of his divided town. Robert Morgan, a young, idealistic doctor, is determined to make up his own mind about the accused's innocence or guilt. Of one thing he is certain: Jonathan is a good doctor, perhaps even a great one. He is also a man who feels abandoned by God, his church, his family, and his friends. As Jonathan continues to be pilloried by the town, a new series of accusations are leveled at him. Is he a cold-blooded killer who murdered his wife and their unborn child? Or a man unjustly accused and wrongly maligned? Testimony of Two Men explores the evolution of modern medicine and the tireless physicians who are its unsung heroes. Author Taylor Caldwell's bestselling novel touches on faith, religion, and the then-new field of mental health as it tells a mesmerizing tale of desire, betrayal, and love that can destroy or redeem. show lessTags
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Set in 1901 in a small town near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, protagonist Dr. Jon Ferrier has been acquitted of the murder of his wife but has been convicted in the “court of public opinion.” Her death involved a botched abortion. Due to the continued gossip, innuendo, and lies being spread about him, he has decided to sell his practice and move away. Dr. Robert Morgan has bought the practice and is accompanying Dr. Ferrier on his rounds to become acquainted with the patients. The plot revolves around the resolution to the death of Dr. Ferrier’s young wife, Mavis, as well as a new series of accusations against him.
The primary strength of this novel lies in the characterization. The author develops the core ensemble of main show more characters in depth. Jon is a disillusioned idealist. He is cynical, caustic, angry, outspoken, and, at times, violent, but treats his truly ill patients with the utmost kindness, generosity, and compassion. He is not particularly likeable. Jon’s brother, Harald, is an artist that values materialism and leads a life of conflict avoidance. When Robert arrives, he is naïve and trusting, believing the best of people, but he gradually becomes aware of the existence of powerful people with nefarious plans. Jenny is an object of affection for all three men. She has been the topic of gossip regarding her virtue. Jon and Harald’s mother, Marjorie, is a keeper of a secrets and is trying to protect both sons. The supporting characters are provided enough depth to understand their motives. Some are motivated by money and power; others by honor and justice. These people seem complex and true-to-life.
The narrative transports the reader to the early twentieth century through vivid descriptions of the architecture, interior design, and fashions of the era. Some of these descriptive passages are rather lengthy. The storyline is particularly effective in showing the challenges to those in the medical profession during a time of significant change, highlighting the difficulties in transitioning from traditional to scientific methods in the medical profession. The traditional doctors did not wash their hands between patients, or when delivering babies, and many people died of infection. This is a time when asepsis was becoming the norm but had not yet been adopted by all medical professionals.
The author explores the nature of humankind, good and evil, and whether a person is capable of significant change. It shows the power of words to injure people. Testimony of Two Men uses the evolution of modern medicine as a backdrop for a story about human failings, disillusionment, faith, power, desire, jealousy, love, and betrayal. It is not a traditional romance or mystery, but contains elements of each. It was published in 1968, but the themes are timeless. show less
The primary strength of this novel lies in the characterization. The author develops the core ensemble of main show more characters in depth. Jon is a disillusioned idealist. He is cynical, caustic, angry, outspoken, and, at times, violent, but treats his truly ill patients with the utmost kindness, generosity, and compassion. He is not particularly likeable. Jon’s brother, Harald, is an artist that values materialism and leads a life of conflict avoidance. When Robert arrives, he is naïve and trusting, believing the best of people, but he gradually becomes aware of the existence of powerful people with nefarious plans. Jenny is an object of affection for all three men. She has been the topic of gossip regarding her virtue. Jon and Harald’s mother, Marjorie, is a keeper of a secrets and is trying to protect both sons. The supporting characters are provided enough depth to understand their motives. Some are motivated by money and power; others by honor and justice. These people seem complex and true-to-life.
The narrative transports the reader to the early twentieth century through vivid descriptions of the architecture, interior design, and fashions of the era. Some of these descriptive passages are rather lengthy. The storyline is particularly effective in showing the challenges to those in the medical profession during a time of significant change, highlighting the difficulties in transitioning from traditional to scientific methods in the medical profession. The traditional doctors did not wash their hands between patients, or when delivering babies, and many people died of infection. This is a time when asepsis was becoming the norm but had not yet been adopted by all medical professionals.
The author explores the nature of humankind, good and evil, and whether a person is capable of significant change. It shows the power of words to injure people. Testimony of Two Men uses the evolution of modern medicine as a backdrop for a story about human failings, disillusionment, faith, power, desire, jealousy, love, and betrayal. It is not a traditional romance or mystery, but contains elements of each. It was published in 1968, but the themes are timeless. show less
To begin with, I didn’t enjoy this book. I'm a bit of a completist, which is the main reason I saw it through to the end. I'm still unclear about the meaning behind the title — The Testimony of Two Men. Several characters offer some form of "testimony," including two central figures and even a man on his deathbed, so it’s not clear which two men the title is actually referring to.
The novel centers on Dr. Jonathan Ferrier, a brilliant physician with neither bedside manner nor much in the way of social grace. Accused of causing his wife's death during a botched abortion, he’s acquitted in court but judged harshly by the townspeople of his small Pennsylvania community. The story largely follows his path toward redemption.
However, show more not much truly happens for most of the novel. Much of the critical backstory is held back until the final 100 pages, which made the pacing feel uneven. Ultimately, while the book had potential, it didn’t live up to it — at least not for this reader. 624 pages show less
The novel centers on Dr. Jonathan Ferrier, a brilliant physician with neither bedside manner nor much in the way of social grace. Accused of causing his wife's death during a botched abortion, he’s acquitted in court but judged harshly by the townspeople of his small Pennsylvania community. The story largely follows his path toward redemption.
However, show more not much truly happens for most of the novel. Much of the critical backstory is held back until the final 100 pages, which made the pacing feel uneven. Ultimately, while the book had potential, it didn’t live up to it — at least not for this reader. 624 pages show less
Published in 1968, this novel is placed in late 19th Century America. Jonathon Ferrier is an affluent, bright and dedicated young doctor, practicing in an era when medicine was in a period of great transition and even basic practices of sterilization were questioned by many doctors. As the novel unfolds, we learn that Ferrier is preparing to leave the town of Hambledon because of the animosity of local townspeople toward him. Nominally, this hatred stems from the death of his young wife and the widespread belief that, in spite of the fact that he was found innocent in court, he is responsible. In truth, Jonathon's own unbending intractability isin part responsible for the resentment of his friends and neighbors and is compounded by show more vicious persecution by a handful of men. The story is complex and engaging, flawed only by Caldwell's lengthy and frequent expounding of personal philosophy. The array and complexity of her characters is impressive as is her understanding of human nature. Modern readers may be troubled by some stereotypes and assumptions that are evident in the book but, taken within the context of the time in which it was written, it is an excellent novel and well worth reading. show less
There are all kinds of historical novels. With some the intention is to give insight into history, some are intent on a plot that just needs an interesting backdrop, and some are intended to put forth specific ideas. Though I have not read any other books by Taylor Caldwell, I feel that this book falls into the last category. The medical history in this book is interesting. The intrigue in this presumably small town among the doctors and their families could easily pass for a modern day soap opera. However, there are underlying themes that, while maybe not so troublesome in 1968, they are more so now. The level of domestic violence, misogamy, and dismissiveness of women is quite unsettling. There didn't seem to be a single female show more character in this story that was given any sort of respect. The way that they are treated both in the doctor's office and in the parlor is completely unacceptable. Further, reinforcing this is the way in which are described by the men whether the women are present or not.
I did enjoy this book for what it is -- a measure of the times in which it was written when the roles of men and women in society were very much up for debate. Although set in the early 1900s, I think this was a thinly veiled attempt at preaching strong religious values and traditional gender roles. Any character fighting against that is doomed in one way or another.
I still gave this three stars but it is for the writing style not the plot. I am not sure if I would pick up another one of her books if given the chance. show less
I did enjoy this book for what it is -- a measure of the times in which it was written when the roles of men and women in society were very much up for debate. Although set in the early 1900s, I think this was a thinly veiled attempt at preaching strong religious values and traditional gender roles. Any character fighting against that is doomed in one way or another.
I still gave this three stars but it is for the writing style not the plot. I am not sure if I would pick up another one of her books if given the chance. show less
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Publisher's Weekly Bestsellers - Part II - 1940 - 1979
355 works; 5 members
Best Sellers / Popular 1968
237 works; 5 members
Author Information
65+ Works 8,057 Members
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England in 1900. Her family emigrated to the United States in 1907. She attended the University of Buffalo. Caldwell began writing stories at age eight. She wrote several best-selling novels including Dynasty of Death, The Strong City, The Sound of Thunder, Bright Flows the River and Answer As a Man. She show more wrote historical fiction and some of her titles contained religious themes. She also wrote under the pen name Max Reiner. Her memoir, Growing Up Tough, was published in 1971. Her titles won her numerous awards including the National League of American Pen Woman Gold Medal, Buffalo Evening News Award, Grand Prix Chatvain and two International Awards for Book of the Year. She died in Greenwich, Connecticut on September 2, 1985. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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The Collected Novels Volume One: Captains and the Kings, Testimony of Two Men, and The Sound of Thunder by Taylor Caldwell
Romance of Atlantis #, This Side of Innocence #, Sound of Thunder #, Captains and Kings #, Arm and the Darkness #, Eagles Gather #, Pillar of Iron #, Great Lion of God #, Beautiful is Banished #, Let Love Come First #, Turnbulls #, Ceremony of the Innocent #, Wide House #, Earth is the Last # , Testimony of Two Men #, Melissa #, Glory and the Lightning #, Answer as a Man #, Never Victorious #, Never Defeated # , Judas # by Taylor Caldwell
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Testimony of Two Men
- Original title
- Testimony of two men
- Original publication date
- 1968
- People/Characters
- Jonathon Ferrier; Dr. Robert Morgan; Jenny Heger; Harald Ferrier; Mavis Ferrier; Marjorie Ferrier (show all 30); Father Francis Mcnulty; Dr. Louis Hedler; Kenton Campion; Francis Campion; Jonas Witherby; Prissy With; Humphrey Bedloe; Martin Eaton; Flora Eaton; Jane Morgan; Philip Harrington; Maude Kitcheners; Jeff Holliday; Tom Harper; Howard Best; Claude Brinkerman; Matilda McHenry; Peter McHenry; Beatrice Campion; Amelia Forster; Elizabeth Winter; Anne Meadows; Edna Beamish; Montgomery Sears Ward Roebuck
- Important places
- Hambledon, Pennsylvania, USA; Pennsylvania, USA
- Related movies
- Testimony of Two Men (1977 | IMDb)
- Epigraph
- It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. John 8:17
- Dedication
- Dedicated with respect and admiration to the memories of those men, who like Jonathon Ferrier, suffered so much and fought so hard to bring us modern medicine's blessings.
- First words
- When young Robert Sylvester Morgan had occasion to write his mother, he always made what he wryly called "a first draft."
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)He was sure that the penitent thought he had a remarkable story to tell, but it was as old as man, as old as the very stars.
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