This is the story of a large family and of the two fascinating, unusual people who created it. It's also a look at the early years of the 20th century and how they changed life for all time. It was a time of rapid change when Americans were excited about the future and their growing importance in the world. Industries were waking up to new ways of doing things that increased productivity. Increased productivity meant lower costs, which meant that the average citizen could enjoy products (like automobiles) that had been rich men's toys only a few years before. It was a time of prosperity and optimism.

Efficiency engineers Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were at the forefront of this movement. Like all engineers, they tended to run their home by the same principles that guided their profession. As their oldest daughter points out in her humorous-but-incisive introduction, a great deal of regimentation is absolutely necessary in a large family or chaos reigns. Not that there wasn't plenty of chaos anyway, and most of it is hilarious.

Lillian Gilbreth was of the generation called the "New Woman." Feminism wasn't born in the 1960's, but had its roots in the era when women fought for the right to attend college, to be professionals, and to vote. With her proud husband supporting her, this gentle but strong woman took her place in a profession that is still largely male-dominated. And she raised a houseful of children while she was doing it!