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America 1941: A Nation at the Crossroads
A nostalgic look at the major events of a pivotal year that influenced a generation, now rapidly passing from the earth.
- GenresHistory
339 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 7, 2012
This book is a real treat for the student of WWII and America's involvement. Written by a history professor, you might expect it to be rather dry (my apologies to all history professors!!) but that is not the case. The author covers the entire gamut of what was happening in this pivotal year......separate chapters are devoted to: building the army, the economy, the movement from rural to urban, poverty, religion, racial prejudice, and sports. Although not a fan of Roosevelt, the author offers his analysis without too much bias and fills in all the blanks. An entertaining, yet sobering look at the America that would be forever changed by WWII. Recommended.
October 22, 2024
Yes, this is a history, but I like to think of it as a snapshot book. Not because it’s full of photos, although the print edition may be for all I know, but because it’s a magnificent snapshot of the year 1941. Sound boring perhaps? Trust me, I was fascinated and fully engaged from the first page. And there aren’t any dry or draggy spots in here.
The year begins with America at peace and largely unconcerned about war in Europe. Admittedly, they glance over a shoulder now and then when they hear about difficulty buying a car soon, and people are starting to leave the farm to migrate to the city for jobs. But largely, they aren’t interested in the war, and they definitely don’t want to fight it. Roosevelt’s dilemma is how to get in the war without being in the war.
The second chapter focuses on building the army. This one will stun you when you think of young Americans conscripted for a year only to use broom handles and rakes as simulated rifles. At this point, the bulk of the supply goes to the Brits. There is a quiet rebellious frustration among the ranks of the conscripts in 1941, and it’s dangerously near boiling over. That will disappear after December 7.
The third chapter looks at economic nightmares like mining strikes and the increasing power of labor unions. It sounds deadly dull, but the author’s writing style is so excellent that just the opposite is true. He is excellent at putting human faces on the disruptions and hostilities associated with labor and management disputes everywhere from the mining to the auto industry.
Chapter four looks at the immigration patterns of Americans who abandon the farm to take defense-related jobs in the city. As cars become increasingly available, folks are less likely to be home on a Sunday because they’re out riding around.
Chapter five looks at progress and poverty in rural America. Improvements to tractors meant more mechanized farming, and that got the job done faster. Still, more than 75 percent of farmers walked behind horses and mules that year.
Chapter six takes a close look at religion as it existed in 1941. While it’s true that Americans believed in absolutes more in those days, not all was perfection. Protestant churches suffered from attendance apathy. Admittedly, Americans believed; they just didn’t want to attend church services. Half the population belonged to one of 265 denominations.
Ah, but while significant numbers paid homage to the things of the spirit, Americans increasingly paid homage to the things of the flesh in 1941. White girls in one Michigan town would surreptitiously cross the tracks to get laid by many of the town’s black men. Many of America’s young lived double lives that year. They sang in the church choir, but in school, they poked and smoked and drank with abandon.
Chapter eight looks at how black American managed during the year. This is a stark, must-read chapter that leaves you both horrified that such an America could exist and impressed by the resilience of black Americans. Even if none of the other chapters appeal to you, chapter eight is worth your time and mental energy.
Chapter nine looks at the entertainment options people had that year. There’s a small section on opera, and a somewhat larger one on Broadway, especially focusing on the songs of Rogers and Hart.
You get a look at movies out that year, too. “Sergeant York” was one of the better-known pictures, but there are lesser-known ones that the author looks at.
Naturally, radio is huge both with its nighttime entertainment and its daytime soap operas.
You get a snapshot of who’s who in baseball that year and slightly less emphasis on football, but all of it is fascinating.
The final chapter looks at how Americans scrambled to be on a war footing after December 7. It was a fitting and appropriate way to end the book.
The year begins with America at peace and largely unconcerned about war in Europe. Admittedly, they glance over a shoulder now and then when they hear about difficulty buying a car soon, and people are starting to leave the farm to migrate to the city for jobs. But largely, they aren’t interested in the war, and they definitely don’t want to fight it. Roosevelt’s dilemma is how to get in the war without being in the war.
The second chapter focuses on building the army. This one will stun you when you think of young Americans conscripted for a year only to use broom handles and rakes as simulated rifles. At this point, the bulk of the supply goes to the Brits. There is a quiet rebellious frustration among the ranks of the conscripts in 1941, and it’s dangerously near boiling over. That will disappear after December 7.
The third chapter looks at economic nightmares like mining strikes and the increasing power of labor unions. It sounds deadly dull, but the author’s writing style is so excellent that just the opposite is true. He is excellent at putting human faces on the disruptions and hostilities associated with labor and management disputes everywhere from the mining to the auto industry.
Chapter four looks at the immigration patterns of Americans who abandon the farm to take defense-related jobs in the city. As cars become increasingly available, folks are less likely to be home on a Sunday because they’re out riding around.
Chapter five looks at progress and poverty in rural America. Improvements to tractors meant more mechanized farming, and that got the job done faster. Still, more than 75 percent of farmers walked behind horses and mules that year.
Chapter six takes a close look at religion as it existed in 1941. While it’s true that Americans believed in absolutes more in those days, not all was perfection. Protestant churches suffered from attendance apathy. Admittedly, Americans believed; they just didn’t want to attend church services. Half the population belonged to one of 265 denominations.
Ah, but while significant numbers paid homage to the things of the spirit, Americans increasingly paid homage to the things of the flesh in 1941. White girls in one Michigan town would surreptitiously cross the tracks to get laid by many of the town’s black men. Many of America’s young lived double lives that year. They sang in the church choir, but in school, they poked and smoked and drank with abandon.
Chapter eight looks at how black American managed during the year. This is a stark, must-read chapter that leaves you both horrified that such an America could exist and impressed by the resilience of black Americans. Even if none of the other chapters appeal to you, chapter eight is worth your time and mental energy.
Chapter nine looks at the entertainment options people had that year. There’s a small section on opera, and a somewhat larger one on Broadway, especially focusing on the songs of Rogers and Hart.
You get a look at movies out that year, too. “Sergeant York” was one of the better-known pictures, but there are lesser-known ones that the author looks at.
Naturally, radio is huge both with its nighttime entertainment and its daytime soap operas.
You get a snapshot of who’s who in baseball that year and slightly less emphasis on football, but all of it is fascinating.
The final chapter looks at how Americans scrambled to be on a war footing after December 7. It was a fitting and appropriate way to end the book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews