The Cold Millions

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of substance use and addiction.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What significance does the title “The Cold Millions” hold in understanding Walter’s broader themes? Did this phrase prepare you for the novel’s depiction of the economic and emotional realities facing Spokane’s working class in 1909-1910?

2. How does Walter’s blend of real historical figures like Elizabeth Gurley Flynn with fictional characters affect your reading experience? Have you encountered other historical novels about labor movements—such as works by John Steinbeck or Upton Sinclair—that employ similar techniques?

3. Why do you think Walter chose to tell the story of the Spokane Free Speech Riots through the personal journey of two brothers rather than focusing on political leaders? How effectively does this intimate perspective illuminate the larger forces of history and class conflict?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Rye begins the novel skeptical of unions but gradually comes to appreciate their value through his experiences. Have you ever found yourself changing your mind about an important issue based on personal experience rather than abstract arguments?

2. What moments in your own life have shaped your understanding of economic inequality? How do Rye’s encounters with wealth—from Lem Brand’s mansion to the expensive gloves—resonate with your own observations about class differences?

3. How do the different personalities and approaches to life shown by Rye and Gig reflect dynamics you’ve observed in your own family relationships or close friendships? What does their bond teach you about loyalty and sacrifice?

4. What aspects of Gig’s alcohol use disorder after his traumatic imprisonment feel most realistic to you? How does Walter’s portrayal of addiction as personal struggle and response to systemic oppression compare to your understanding of these issues?

5. Rye finds solace and perspective in reading Tolstoy’s War and Peace, discovering that literature can help him understand his place in history. What books or stories have helped you make sense of difficult periods in your own life?

6. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn’s acts of solidarity—both public and private—inspire Rye’s transformation. Can you think of moments when you’ve witnessed or experienced small acts of generosity or solidarity that had a lasting impact?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How do the predatory employment practices Walter describes in 1909 Spokane compare to modern issues in the gig economy or temp work? What parallels do you see between historical and contemporary forms of worker exploitation?

2. What similarities do you notice between the power dynamics Walter depicts in 1910 Spokane and current discussions about policing and social justice? How do the relationships between law enforcement, government, and economic elites compare across these different eras?

3. The Spokane Free Speech Riots occurred during a time of rapid industrialization and growing wealth inequality in America. What connections can you draw between the economic conditions Walter describes and current debates about income inequality and workers’ rights?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does Rye’s character development from union skeptic to solidarity believer reflect the novel’s broader themes? What specific moments or relationships prove most crucial in his transformation?

2. What makes Early Reston such an effective antagonist despite his initial appearance as an ally? How does Walter use this character’s shifting role to explore the different ideological challenges facing the labor movement?

3. What role does War and Peace play as a recurring symbol in the novel? How does Rye’s relationship with Tolstoy’s saga mirror his own journey of understanding his place in historical events?

4. Walter structures the novel with multiple perspectives and time periods, including interludes focused on secondary characters like Jules and Ursula. How does this narrative approach enhance your understanding of the historical moment and its impact on different individuals?

5. The novel explores three distinct responses to economic oppression: Gurley’s unionism, Early’s anarchism, and Brand’s capitalism. How does Walter present the strengths and limitations of each approach through his characters’ actions and fates?

6. What symbolic weight do money, clothing, and other material objects carry throughout the story? How do these symbols help Walter illustrate the personal impact of class differences and economic inequality?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What objects would you choose to represent Rye’s journey if you were designing a museum exhibit about the Spokane Free Speech Riots? How would you arrange artifacts and documents from the novel to tell his story?

2. If you could insert yourself into any scene in the novel as a bystander or participant, which moment would you choose and what role would you want to play in the unfolding events?

3. The novel ends with Rye redistributing Lem Brand’s money to the Salvation Army. What other choices could he have made with that windfall? Create an alternative ending where Rye uses the money in a completely different way.

Need more conversation starters? Inspire your group with our Discussion Questions tool.