Dreiser was a socialist who published numerous nonfiction works about politics. Dreiser Looks at Russia (1928), the outcome of his tour to the Soviet Union in 1927, as well as two works giving a critical viewpoint on capitalist America, Tragic America (1931) and America Is Worth Saving (1932), were published (1941). His last book was An American Diary (1942). In addition to his nonfiction, Dreiser wrote three novels: The Financier (1913), which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize; Sister Carrie (1920), which became a classic of social realism; and An American Dream (1926). Dreiser was born on August 8, 1871 in New York City into a wealthy family. His parents were German immigrants who owned a cotton business. When he was eight years old, the family moved to Chicago where his father bought a new store. There he met Ellen Walker, who worked with him in the store. They fell in love and got married when Dreiser was 21 years old. However, due to financial problems, they had to divorce. After losing his job, Dreiser went back to Chicago but failed to make any more money so he decided to travel west. While traveling across country, he met other writers and artists who encouraged him to write. When he returned home, he started writing again but this time about his experiences while traveling.