Roth 's book c ompares the economic conditions in 1873 to 1929-1934: The 1873 panic was preceded by Civil War- then 8 or 9 years of hectic prosperity, speculation, rising prices, corruption in government- and then sudden panic, bank closings, etc. Organized movements to stop foreclosures. Wild schemes to inflate currency. "The panic of 1873 lasted 5-6 years," and the Great Depression started in Fall 1929 and lasted through the early to mid 1930's, in which 4 years were hard until they started seeing true signs of recovery.
“Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." - Alice in Wonderland