Southern novelist and activist Lillian Smith (1897-1966) considered One Hour her best work of fiction. The novel, originally published in 1959 and long out of print, brilliantly depicts the destructive effects of mass hysteria on the people of a small southern town.

The protagonist is an Episcopal minister who chronicles a series of tragic events set in motion when his closest friend, a gifted scientist, is unjustly accused of molesting a young girl. The novel's tensions culminate in an eruption of violence and hate that destroys the community. In a new introduction, Rose Gladney places One Hour in its historical context and highlights its enduring meaning for today's readers.