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Hope Dies Last: Keeping the Faith in Difficult Times
by
Studs Terkel
Hope Dies Last: Keeping the Faith in Troubled Times is the tenth oral history by the Pulitzer Prize winner and his account of an "American century" of hope, activism, and determination.
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
November 3rd 2003
by New Press, The
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Studs Terkel's oral history book, Hope Dies Last is another interesting look at a topic dear to many people. The topic this time focuses on hope. He talks to his usual wide variety of people and there are a lot of compelling stories. He talks to politicians (Dennis Kucinich, Dan Burton, Jerry Brown, Tom Hayden), entertainers (Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger) activists, teachers, soldiers, immigrants, slackers, and priests. Some of the themes center on what has been accomplished by grass roots organiza...more
I love the late Studs Terkel's writing/books. His use of the tape recorder to compile oral histories has informed my own writing, particularly my first book I wrote, on local town team baseball.
Some great profiles. I've especially liked reading the profiles on Dennis Kucinich (a personal hero), Arlo Guthrie (60's holdover and son of possibly America's greatest musical icon), and Dan Burton (a figure on the right that I knew little about, and came away impressed with his personal depth).
Reading a...more
Some great profiles. I've especially liked reading the profiles on Dennis Kucinich (a personal hero), Arlo Guthrie (60's holdover and son of possibly America's greatest musical icon), and Dan Burton (a figure on the right that I knew little about, and came away impressed with his personal depth).
Reading a...more
Read the STOP SMILING interview with Studs Terkel:
BEHIND THE BILLBOARDS
By Danny Postel and JC Gabel
(This interview originally appeared in the STOP SMILING Chicago Issue)
Studs Terkel is “as much a part of Chicago as the Sears Tower and Al Capone,” a BBC journalist once remarked.
Indeed, just as tourists to the “city of the century” throng to the skyscraper's observation deck and make their way to one or another of the gangster's old haunts, many a writer has pilgrimaged to the Uptown home of Chica...more
BEHIND THE BILLBOARDS
By Danny Postel and JC Gabel
(This interview originally appeared in the STOP SMILING Chicago Issue)
Studs Terkel is “as much a part of Chicago as the Sears Tower and Al Capone,” a BBC journalist once remarked.
Indeed, just as tourists to the “city of the century” throng to the skyscraper's observation deck and make their way to one or another of the gangster's old haunts, many a writer has pilgrimaged to the Uptown home of Chica...more
10-6-10
Just started the Intro and a few other tid-bits, though I already know how awesome this anthology is going to be. Perfect for some slice-of-life memoirs and mini-essays for the chill'ens to mull over, testing to see if they can research some of the historical references and see similarities to Miller's classic play, "The Crucible" as well as W.E.B. Dubois' The Soul of Black Folks , just to name a few.
"La esperanza muere ultima," Jessie de la Cruz. These words were taken from Terkel's 19...more
Just started the Intro and a few other tid-bits, though I already know how awesome this anthology is going to be. Perfect for some slice-of-life memoirs and mini-essays for the chill'ens to mull over, testing to see if they can research some of the historical references and see similarities to Miller's classic play, "The Crucible" as well as W.E.B. Dubois' The Soul of Black Folks , just to name a few.
"La esperanza muere ultima," Jessie de la Cruz. These words were taken from Terkel's 19...more
I love this man. We're all standing on the shoulders of folks standing on the shoulders of folks...
Despite the title, this collection of interviews with activists/teachers/union organizers/students/workers/clergy etc is both inspiring and depressing. People fighting the good fight have been getting the piss beaten out of them forever. Two things are amazing: how much time and effort and blood and sweat--at least--from how many people (who you'll never hear of) it takes to achieve the tiniest (ev...more
Despite the title, this collection of interviews with activists/teachers/union organizers/students/workers/clergy etc is both inspiring and depressing. People fighting the good fight have been getting the piss beaten out of them forever. Two things are amazing: how much time and effort and blood and sweat--at least--from how many people (who you'll never hear of) it takes to achieve the tiniest (ev...more
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This book was exactly what Studs Terkel is known for: raw, real excerpts from interviews with people, remarkable for their averageness. This books is filled with beautiful stories, and I love books in this short format. Please be aware, this is NOT "Chicken Soup for your Soul". I didn't find most of these stories inspirational at all. On the other hand, they were real.
Studs Terkel did unique, powerful and important work with his series of oral histories. I have particularly enjoyed his books focused on a single period, particularly his history of the Great Depression. It's rare to read these first-person stories of that difficult time. "Hope Dies Last" was instead loosely focused on the concept of hope, so it is less coherent and compelling than some of his other work. Some of the anecdotes are inspiring and interesting, but the book didn't really keep my int...more
I enjoyed reading these interviews from a collection of very different people. I really enjoy reading about inspiring people and these are it. My favorite is the senior citizen anti-nuke activist who has been arrested over and over again. It has helped to inspire me...I need to get out there!
I reread this book as a tribute to Studs and to the people he captured in print. My uncle and I always swore we were going to look Studs up one day, show up at his door just to shake his hand and hear that gravelly voice say hello. We missed our chance.
I'm reading this in conjunction with the NPR colletion of "This I Believe". Both offer stories of people who have lived thorugh many of life's trials. They provide guidance/solace as we face today's uncertainty.
Perhaps most telling is the section in Hope Dies Last about "Enronism". The last sentence of John Kenneth Galbraith's section included: "I entered the world of politics at a time when there were Fith Amendment Communists, and I've reached the age of ninety-four, when there are Fifth Amen...more
Perhaps most telling is the section in Hope Dies Last about "Enronism". The last sentence of John Kenneth Galbraith's section included: "I entered the world of politics at a time when there were Fith Amendment Communists, and I've reached the age of ninety-four, when there are Fifth Amen...more
Thank you for a life time of listening to real people tell their stories, Studs T.!. Many of his interviews are archived on his website, and you can listen to them for free. Check it out: www.studsterkel.org
The title says it all.
If you like stories about real people told in style of eloquent simplicity, then read this book (and others by Studs Terkel) His books make me want to be a better listener.
If you like stories about real people told in style of eloquent simplicity, then read this book (and others by Studs Terkel) His books make me want to be a better listener.
Great book. Shows regular people as activists and the importance of hope in their lives. Got me excited and feeling like I can make a difference.
Provides a welcome, and in my case much needed, injection of perspective on the often invisible struggles many, many people need to carry on every day in the pursuit of basic security and dignity. Terkel is clearly a skilled oral historian, though in some ways the relentless worthiness of his subjects weakened the power of each individual recollection, with one exception: Brigadier General Paul Tibbets, who piloted the Enola Gay mission over Hiroshima. His one-track gotta-do-what-takes attitude...more
The ephemeral theme of 'hope' is a lot more difficult to interview about than Stud's more event- or lifestyle- focused books, but it's still a decent read that tells some really interesting stories about people in America.
A few of stories told by the people interviewed in this book really stuck with me.
Jul 23, 2009
Little
added it
I have read this book 3 times. Each time I learn something new that gives me hope.
Favorite "modern" Terkel book. Favorite "early" Terkel book is Working.
Studs Terkel interviewed numerous Americans whom had to overcome great adversity in their lives. They all spoke of the importance of never loosing hope. The poor, African Americans, those deemed as communists in the Cold War, and immigrants were the four main groups of individuals that Studs Terkel interviewed. Usually, everything seemed to be stacked against them. However, through activism they weren't afraid to do their all to try and change things. This book shows that although we are all so...more
Very disappointing. One of the few books I have not finished.
This book was uplifting. Terkel does a great job.
Not as hopeful as I would have liked.
Not as hopeful as I would have liked.
I love this book, which is basically a collection of interviews with inspiring people. Studs Terkel has a remarkable gift for bringing out truth and remarkable stories. I truly feel more hopeful after reading this, but also more aware of the problems people face.
Mar 21, 2007
christina white
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
any American with an interest in politics
Every educated American should read a book by Studds Terkel. I read this book, which focuses on working people and union organizing, right when the U.S. first invaded Iraq. Bush was at the height of his power and I was depressed. This did give me hope, mainly as it gave some tools to use to fight the power. Thank God for the memory keepers! This is purely oral history, so we have the testament of those who have gone before and fought the good fight. We are not alone!
Mar 21, 2007
Sarah
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who like real stories, real people, a little bit of hope in a grey, grey world.
I heart Studs Terkel. I love that his works are all directly from the mouths of his subjects. He has to have the coolest job ever. And he is the coolest person ever. And this book, written after 9-11 and during the Bush war on terrorism nightmares is so calm and inspiring. Especially given his previous works about race and WWII, it's an interesting bookend to his career. I highly recommend (I'm not done yet).
Studs Terkel is a spokesman for the American citizen. I love his books--especially this one because there's the one underlying theme throughout all of these unique stories. He writes the book in the way he chooses his interviewees and the subjects that he touches upon. Love him, love him, love him. Read this book to add an uplifting jolt to your day.
I thought I had already commented on this book. hrm. Anyway, I appreciated how Studs Terkel made the stories flow from one into another, building and sidetracking as necessary. The voices were varied and real and so clearly pointed out where hope comes from when we are in trouble. It was an excellent read before the election.
"With the recent passing of Studs Terkel, Chicago has lost one of its greatest and most original voices.
In Hope Dies Last, Terkel turns his attention to the national arena, documenting the spirit and the practice of American activism over the course of the last century. A relevant oral history for troubled times."
In Hope Dies Last, Terkel turns his attention to the national arena, documenting the spirit and the practice of American activism over the course of the last century. A relevant oral history for troubled times."
I might not be the only Chicagoan who thought Studs Terkel would be around forever...alas, he won't. The one time I met him (though I saw him speak at several events) was at a signing when this book came out. The only book of his I've read in its entirety was Division Street. I have a lot of catching up to do.
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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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