Uncertainty of Everyday Life, 1915–1945

Everyday Life in America

by Harvey Green

The era between the world wars, from the "roaring 20s" to the grim days of the Great Depression, was a time of tremendous change. The United States became an increasingly urban culture as people left their farms to seek work in the cities. Many blacks moved North to escape the violence and racism of a resurgent Ku Klux Klan in the South. And, while life became more comfortable for many Americans during this period, by 1941 only half the population enjoyed the modern conveniences we now take for granted. With improvements in technology and the rise of consumerism (spurred by the new "science" of advertising) the country was expanding in every direction. However, for many Americans, daily life was fraught with uncertainty. Jobs and wages were unpredictable, labor unrest was constant, and savings vanished in the stock market. In this vividly detailed narrative, Harvey Green recounts an era of unprecedented change in American culture and examines the impact of these uncertain times on such aspects of daily life as employment, home life, gender roles, education, religion, and recreation.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, 20th Century, American History, Reference

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, the fifth in a series of six, covers the three decades preceding the end of WWII in 1945 - the year I became a teenager. Because I was a surprise addition to a contented family of four at the start of the worldwide economic depression of the thirties, I also experienced the angst of a slightly unwelcome guest at the table. Thus reading this book, especially the last third of it, triggered many childhood memories.

Few Americans today realize that so much drama befell the world in such a short period: two world wars plus the most severe economic depression in history. But the changes in U. S. living conditions and culture resulting from the advances in technology were even more stunning: Radio, television, housing, health care, entertainment, hygiene, transportation, communication, life expectancy, politics, marriage, religion, warfare…every aspect of human existence underwent so much change that we became numb to the experience and even bored with it.

The book itself seems strangely dated thereby. Yet it is worth study because it forces appreciation of the species we have become - victims of this change disease that lulls us into believing this is how people have always lived.

[Prima Seadiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Interesting book but it's one to pick up and read in chunks rather than straight through." I still hold to that. I found the changes in American life listed from 1915-1945 interesting. The author's comments on the underlying cultural impacts of these changes i.e. obsession with cleanliness, the role of women, racism, immigration, anti-union views, class differences and technology were interesting. I wish he had elaborated in a bit more detail in regard to these and how they are still such a large part of American life today. Overall, a worthwhile read.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offers some perspective regarding the influences and evolution of the modern lifestyle. I'm eager to investigate other volumes in the series.

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information but very dry reading!

[Dan Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing digest of the day to day life of Americans during this time period. What may appear to be trivia is close-up detail that reveals the changes wrought by technology and an evolving social landscape. This is the last in a series on American life that is a must read by anyone who is turned off the by the names and dates style of history taught in school. The books detail what people ate, where they worked, how they smelled, how they talked.

[Hunter McCleary]

7 Most Americans owned a radio by end of the 30s.
27 Miners in the 1920 made $2-$4 an hour.
55 Description of a 1930s mining town in Kentucky.
62 Homes wired only for light in the early 1900s.
63 By the 1920s hot and cold running water were standard in the suburbs.
68 For most urban Americans ide boxes were the norm until after WWII.
112 Fiesta ware bowls, which Oma owned, are described.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, writing research. Why must you always be so dry and boring? Ah, well. You've been read, and returned to the library. And you contained so much useful information that I really can't be that mad at you. (7.5/10 stars, because deadly dull though it was, extremely informative it also was.)

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another The Forgotten Man for Dummies. It was quite enlightening

[Laura]

American history

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

dry but effective