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27th out of 137 books
—
8 voters
American Dreams: Lost and Found
by
Studs Terkel
"Here is the raw material for one thousand novels
.incomparable."Margaret Atwood
In this unique look at one of our most pervasive national myths, Studs Terkel persuades an extraordinary range of Americans to articulate their version of "The American Dream." Beginning with an embittered winner of the Miss U.S.A. contest who sees the con behind the dream of success and inclu...more
In this unique look at one of our most pervasive national myths, Studs Terkel persuades an extraordinary range of Americans to articulate their version of "The American Dream." Beginning with an embittered winner of the Miss U.S.A. contest who sees the con behind the dream of success and inclu...more
Mass Market Paperback, 515 pages
Published
July 12th 1985
by Ballantine Books
(first published 1980)
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Nov 19, 2008
Ryan Lawson
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
the politically interested
Recommended to Ryan by:
NPR
Studs Terkel’s American Dreams Lost and Found
Wk.30; Bk.30
This book took me forever to finish, two-weeks. Luckily, I was ahead by a week in my readings. It didn’t take long because it was lofty or too heavy because the language is pretty common. There are just so many parts! 100 interviews, phew.
Since these are transcribed radio interviews, the book tends to read like a This American Life story or something from the Story Corps project at NPR. So, much like those aforementioned programs, some int...more
Wk.30; Bk.30
This book took me forever to finish, two-weeks. Luckily, I was ahead by a week in my readings. It didn’t take long because it was lofty or too heavy because the language is pretty common. There are just so many parts! 100 interviews, phew.
Since these are transcribed radio interviews, the book tends to read like a This American Life story or something from the Story Corps project at NPR. So, much like those aforementioned programs, some int...more
In American Dreams: Lost And Found by Studs Terkel, people of various ages are talking about what the American dream means to them. Terkel's presence is minimal, he prefers to simply let people talk. On some levels it is still valid as people come to terms or talk about how they hope to achieve this reality. On the other hand, people seem to be less concerned about their place in society per se. Terkel interviewed a variety of average people, but also several famous people as well, for example:...more
Nov 16, 2011
Spencer
is currently reading it
I just started this, but I'm loving it. I'm not a fan of when people put up books relative to their specialties necessarily, and this may be that, but at the same time, I think it has some of the most remarkable stories from some really fascinating people. Studs goes around the US in the mid-70s interviewing people. All sorts of people. He interviews a 73 year old man who was one of the first Black millionaires in America. He knew Martin Luther King Jr. and told him, 'we don't want to boycott th...more
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Apr 09, 2012
Lanier
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Historians, Business folk and young people
5-28-10
notes from Studs Terkel’s American Dreams: Lost and Found
Many of the “winners” and “losers” or Rags-to-Riches-to-Rags stories within these first 35 pages are fascinating. One in particular, “The Stream”, by Leonel I. Castillo, I left for my scholars to mule over earlier today. The Stream concerns the flow of illegal immigrants coming in, particularly from Mexico and how, contrary to national unrest, they do NOT detract from the security or financial kitties, but rather they promote both a...more
notes from Studs Terkel’s American Dreams: Lost and Found
Many of the “winners” and “losers” or Rags-to-Riches-to-Rags stories within these first 35 pages are fascinating. One in particular, “The Stream”, by Leonel I. Castillo, I left for my scholars to mule over earlier today. The Stream concerns the flow of illegal immigrants coming in, particularly from Mexico and how, contrary to national unrest, they do NOT detract from the security or financial kitties, but rather they promote both a...more
Dec 22, 2011
SonicRim
added it
Transcripts of a series of radio interviews with ordinary Americans across all strata of life. Terkel has an incredible interviewing technique that renders him invisible and allows the voice of the subject to stand out. Noteworthy for an unwavering (but neutral) look at social issues, and an inspiration to stand up for the small guy. Very very moving.
This is the least effective of Terkel's oral histories that I've read so far, but not from any fault of the author. The problem is that "the American Dream" is such a vague concept - some people see the dream as material wealth and career success, others see it as owning their own house, others see it simply as freedom and opportunity to live one's own life as they see fit. The stories here are as fascinating as ever - but with the American Dream being so vague, the book lacks the cohesion of hi...more
Oh, how I want to give this book more than 3 stars! I so respect what he did here, interviewing all these so-called-ordinary people and putting their voices out there for all of Chicago (and beyond) to hear... He had to have been a great talent at making people feel comfortable and knowing what questions to ask. BUT, the fact is that some of the stories are undeniably mundane and some of the folks disappointingly seem to just tell their stories without much analysis or inward reflection. Still,...more
One of the fathers of oral history, piecing together hundreds of interviews to create a cogent, compelling whole. No one does it better.
This was the second book I've read by Terkel, but the first that uses his famous "oral history" format. This too-long book chronicles the "American Dreams" of people from all walks of life. It consists of about 100 interviews each around 3 or 4 pages.
Terkel seeks out voices from across the political spectrum, but, as you would expect, it is heavier on the lefties. Some of the histories are truly interesting, but many of them repeat the same things over and over, and some simply lack much urgency...more
Terkel seeks out voices from across the political spectrum, but, as you would expect, it is heavier on the lefties. Some of the histories are truly interesting, but many of them repeat the same things over and over, and some simply lack much urgency...more
Only read about a third o' this ho. There was some cool stuff in there, but I couldn't find the patience to finish her. I might be a bit of a misanthrope.
This took forever to read. Tiny episodes that feel like more than enough every time you finish one. There was inspiration, joy, and all that, but there was also too much of everything, all the time. I think it would have been an effective read at half, or a quarter, of the size.
The Miss America segment was very thought provoking.
Some people's idea of the American Dream is pretty bizarre.
To paraphrase one of the entries: The American Dream is not American, it is human. And not a dream, but a possibility. I am in awe with Human Possibility.
Some people's idea of the American Dream is pretty bizarre.
To paraphrase one of the entries: The American Dream is not American, it is human. And not a dream, but a possibility. I am in awe with Human Possibility.
A three star within the Terkel books. Some great character (self)sketches in here, but more scatter-shot than, say, Working, or Hard Times, which have more direction. Has been in the quick read pile for a long time, and I find I don't turn to it very often.
Studs Terkel interviews people in a cross-section of American communities and asks them how they feel about American and its future.
Jan 25, 2010
pjr8888
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
anthropology,
psychology
americans, for better and worse...
stirring
stirring
Interesting at times, but nothing extraordinary.
I had attempted to read working a dozen years ago, and found it interesting but not compelling. The stories in American Dreams: Lost & Found are compelling, because they speak to the aspirations of a cross section of America.
May 24, 2013
Marc
marked it as to-read
May 24, 2013
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Apr 30, 2013
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Terkel won the Pulitzer prize in 1985 for his interviews with ordinary people in such books as Working, The Good War, and Hard Times. Often called an Oral Historian, Studs Terkel preferred to be known for playing music on the radio.
More about Studs Terkel...
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