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Grand Expectations: The United States, 1945-1974 (Oxford History of the United States #10)
Beginning in 1945, America rocketed through a quarter-century of extraordinary economic growth, experiencing an amazing boom that soared to unimaginable heights in the 1960s. At one point, in the late 1940s, American workers produced 57 percent of the planet's steel, 62 percent of the oil, 80 percent of the automobiles. The U.S. then had three-fourths of the world's gold s...more
Paperback, 880 pages
Published
November 20th 1997
by Oxford University Press, USA
(first published April 18th 1996)
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I agree with some of the other readers that this book in the Oxford series did not have the same "punch" as McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom," for example, but it still was a great survey of this very pivotal period in American history.
It touched upon all the major events, incidents and trends of the era. Patterson took some complicated events that not only had economic and political impact but social ramifications, as well.
Patterson did a great job ...more
It touched upon all the major events, incidents and trends of the era. Patterson took some complicated events that not only had economic and political impact but social ramifications, as well.
Patterson did a great job ...more
I found this a fast and interesting read. I also found it to be both very objective and not very objective, depending how you read it.
As for objectivity, the author does an excellent job in analyzing and explaining the important and controversial events in this time period. For a given event, he would usually describe the event, then describe arguments by critics (both contemporary and modern)that are both critical and in favor of the event. He would then give his own criticism of t...more
As for objectivity, the author does an excellent job in analyzing and explaining the important and controversial events in this time period. For a given event, he would usually describe the event, then describe arguments by critics (both contemporary and modern)that are both critical and in favor of the event. He would then give his own criticism of t...more
This was an informative read about an interesting era, but it wasn't written with the verve that some of the other volumes in this series had. And as a pet peeve, I get that the author's central thesis was that the American people had ""grand expectations" for their lives and their country during this time, but seeing the phrase literally every other page was distracting and cheesy.
A good read; main thesis is that a combination of good economic growth until the 1970s, & the rights revolution of the 1960s, together gave many Americans a sense that the future would be much better than the past, leading to a sense of disgruntlement when it started being only somewhat better in the 1970s.
Bdesmond Desmond
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Grand Expectations: The United States, 1945-1974 (Oxford History of the United States) by James T. Patterson (1997)
Least impressive of the histories I've read that make up the Oxford History of the United States.
Another strong installment of the Oxford History of the US. Another Bancroft winner.
What I've learned so far: how the postwar economic boom created the most affluent society on earth and raised expectations for ever higher levels of wealth, power, and happiness for all Americans. The 50s were economic boom years, even more so the sixties, which saw the high tide of liberalism, especially under Johnson in 1964 (Civil Rights Act) and 1965 (Medicare, Medicaid, Voting Rights Act, federal aid to education, immigration reform). However, these liberal programs created unforeseem pro...more
Lots of stuff happened. A good overview. Enjoyed it.
Considering the turbulently heroic times just before it this period in U.S. history is a bit of a letdown. American optimism runs aground during the cold war.
Is it just me who thinks this or were there a lot of really asinine moves made under the guise of 'fighting communism'. A strain of long-term foolishness culminating in the current Iraq debacle. Like we no longer know how to make a move unless an -ism is invoked.
Is it just me who thinks this or were there a lot of really asinine moves made under the guise of 'fighting communism'. A strain of long-term foolishness culminating in the current Iraq debacle. Like we no longer know how to make a move unless an -ism is invoked.
a thoroughly comprehensive view of US politics, culture, economics, and everything else from post WWII to the end of the vietnam era. not light reading, but definitely provides a nearly objective view of some of the key issues of the time.
Good survey of US history from WWII to the seventies. Very good on the presidency, race relations and foreign affairs, especially the Korean and the Vietnam war. Arguments about society and the economy based on numbers, although sources uncertain.
The Oxford History of the US is a great series. Taking forever to finish up. This one isn't quite as good as Freedom From Fear, but a thorough accounting of all things US from 1945 to Watergate.
I read this book at a very ignorant state in my life which probably inflates my opinion of a most likely mundane historical text.
Comprehensive, informative, interesting. Shattered my childhood illusions about the moral character of our presidents.
The postwar boom written in more complexity and gloomier shades than present in popular consciousness.
Simply one of the best History books of the period.
Solid and highly informative.
Michael
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