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American Dreams: The United States Since 1945
by
H.W. Brands
From bestselling historian H. W. Brands, an incisive chronicle of the events and trends that guided-and sometimes misguided-our nation from the A-bomb to the iPhone.
For a brief, bright moment in 1945, America stood at its apex, looking back on victory not only against the Axis powers but against the Great Depression, and looking ahead to seemingly limitless power and pro...more
For a brief, bright moment in 1945, America stood at its apex, looking back on victory not only against the Axis powers but against the Great Depression, and looking ahead to seemingly limitless power and pro...more
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published
June 10th 2010
by Penguin Press HC, The
(first published October 11th 2009)
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Great book for those whose high school and college history classes only seemed to have enough time in the semester to cover some period between Cromagnon times and maybe World War I or II. I remember being frustrated knowing the final semester was nearing the end and we'd only scratched the surface on some of the fascinating chapters in the modern history of America's long existence. America's life story is one full of so many triumphs, yet we only seem to hear about the tragedies so I was reall...more
An excellent synopsis of the persuasions, motivations and influences of the people of the United States since the dawn of the nuclear age to date. An essential read for any American wanting to further their understanding of the paradox of what has caused America's political policies to swing in the face of facism, communism, civil rights, human rights, globalization and terrorism. This book picks up where most American history classes leave off for lack of time. Every young American ought to rea...more
I am giving this book top rating - it met my expectations. I read it in only a week which is pretty fast for me. The author does an impressive job of covering a LOT of historical material in less than 400 pages and explaining it in a way that even I could understand (most of it.) I was interested in the other public Goodreads reviews. One woman stated she thought the author leaned right for spending more time on the Lewinsky scandal than the Iran/Contra affair. I didn't even notice that - and wo...more
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Just the fact that H.W. Brands attempts to make sense of recent American and world history should earn him accolades. I think he comes as close as anyone can to accomplishing that goal in less than 400 pages.
It's an extreme overview, which worked well for me since I read it as research for the 1940s-80s. Many parts were emotional to read, especially the 1960s. These days the 1960s are romanticized as a time of hippies and music, yet it was also a time of deep dissension and division. Heroes were...more
It's an extreme overview, which worked well for me since I read it as research for the 1940s-80s. Many parts were emotional to read, especially the 1960s. These days the 1960s are romanticized as a time of hippies and music, yet it was also a time of deep dissension and division. Heroes were...more
Brands' history of America after 1945 is chronological and episodic, providing short forays into political, social, and cultural history, liberal with first person quotation. It is not revolutionary in its attitudes, but offers serious critiques of all the presidents (especially on foreign policy), ending in 2010. The book reads like an engaging lecture series (a positive for me) - easy to follow and as fun as America after 1945 can be.
A concise, clearly-written overview of American history since World War II. Brands covers a lot of material, but his text remains engaging throughout. Occasionally he seems to linger on the conservative reactions to events, but for the most part the text seems balanced and tough on both parties when it's called for. I found the sections on the 70s and 80s most valuable; the earlier material was more familiar from other sources, and the 90s felt sort of haphazard - too recent for the same sort of...more
As someone who has read many of Dr. Brands books and had the pleasure of hearing him speak several times in person, I can personally attest that there is no better story-telling historian around. And that story-telling skill is shown magnificently in this book, which should replace classroom textbooks for any 'History of the U.S. since 1945' type of college or high school history class.
At times you think Brands can't possibly cover an important topic (origins of the Cold War, assassination of Ci...more
At times you think Brands can't possibly cover an important topic (origins of the Cold War, assassination of Ci...more
This read, to me, like a college textbook overview of American History after 1945. Hits all the main events but rather superficially. I also felt some political bias (he spends more time on Monica Lewinsky than on the Iran Contra scandal). But a basically decent overview for someone who has forgotten their high school history classes.
This book was brilliant: detailed, well researched, politically neutral, and easy to follow as a narrative. Plus, it has witty titles like "Mild About Harry" (Truman. Duh). An excellent summary of America in the post-war era.
Mar 15, 2012
Josh Liller
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
american-history,
read-for-school
Enjoyable easy overview of 55 recent years of American history in just over 300 pages. My conservative teacher at the beginning of the semester claimed it had a slight liberal bias (and FDR is on the cover - slightly ironic since the book starts at his death), but I found it mostly even-handed. There are a few comments of dubious nature such as summarizing Reagan's shift from Democrat to Republican as 'he got rich'. But Brands also makes some good quips such as how one of Nixon's biggest faults...more
I thought this would be more thematically arranged, but it's in essence a history book of 'modern' America - the last 65 years. Highly readable...
A decent review of crucial events from 1945 to the present. It hit the major topics and is a decent overview.
I think it is hard to give a certain score for this kind of book. I liked it. It was easy to read even though it was boring time to time. I learned a lot about American near history by reading "American Dreams".
A very readable breeze through recent history that conveys the self-satisfying feeling of a one-credit college seminar, if not considerable distress from the recollection that America's foreign policies since 1945 have been abysmal.
Afterward comes the knowing dread that they were even worse before that time. Happily you'll be on to another book by then.
Afterward comes the knowing dread that they were even worse before that time. Happily you'll be on to another book by then.
Used it as a history text book. Great read, and without the dryness of a traditional textbook. Made me want to continue reading each chapter.
I really loved reading this book, even though it was an American History book. It was well organized, clear and easy to read. At the same time it is offering historical knowledge, it is a fun readable story that makes sense.
The book was okay. I had to read it for my college history class. Since I'm not a history person I didn't find this to be very interesting. However, those who like history should enjoy this book.
Jun 01, 2013
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Henry William Brands was born in Portland, Oregon, where he lived until he went to California for college. He attended Stanford University and studied history and mathematics. After graduating he became a traveling salesman, with a territory that spanned the West from the Pacific to Colorado. His wanderlust diminished after several trips across the Great Basin, and he turned to sales of a differen...more
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