Kalhoun, a Thoroughgoing Man

The story is based on Theodore Dreiser’s experience at a health resort sanatorium, run by a former professional wrestler named Mr. Calhane. Calhane’s methods are far from standard and sometimes downright paradoxical, but the effectiveness of his approach draws people from a wide range of professions to the famous institution.

“Calhane, a Thorough Man” is one of the twelve stories in the collection “Twelve Men” (written during a key period of the author’s life), in which Dreiser tells about people who influenced both his personal development and his creative path.