Delaware in the Great Depression

Images of America: Delaware

by R. Brian Page

The Great Depression transformed Delaware more than any other event in the modern history of the state. Through vintage photographs, this volume records both the gentle philanthropy of the people and the crushing poverty experienced by 11,000 citizens left chronically unemployed for more than a decade. It portrays the balance between agriculture and industry that defines Delaware as a state. These images show a generation that was born during the 1918 flu epidemic, lived through the worst economic slump of the 20th century, and fought and won war against German fascism and Japanese imperialism. Images of America: Delaware in the Great Depression records the story of the extraordinary people who fundamentally changed the way politics, industry, conservation, and agriculture combine to build a society and how the technological revolutions in this small state helped lay the foundation for the modern world.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2005

Reviews

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but not quite as much as the WWII book. Interesting notes about all the things the DuPonts did for Delaware during this hard time. Interesting that we had a Republican government in Delaware and at one point were the only state in the US with a Republican governor, now DE is Democrat all the way, and that is sometimes disheartening.

Found a lot of things in the introduction that were good, like someone at DuPont discovering neoprene, rayon,and nylon; as well as a lady who perfected the raising of meatier chickens. It was also interesting that they build Blue Rocks Stadium that long ago. I didn't know the stadium was that old.

Interesting. Please check your library for Images of America books on the states you live in or are interested in. I highly recommend them.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the facts and pictures were quite fascinating and I was surprised to discover all the business that came into place during this period in Delaware history, many of which we still have in place today! On the whole however I don't figure anyone who hasn't lived here (or else perhaps doing research on this specific topic for DE history) would be inspired or interested in this book, as it's mainly photos and not informative enough.