The American Century

by Harold Evans

Although most of this sprawling book is set in the 20th century, it begins on April 29, 1889, when Benjamin Harrison commemorated the first centennial of American government. This 11-year jump-start allows Harold Evans to write about the last major push to settle the Western territories, the gradual dwindling of Native American societies, the rise to prominence of William Jennings Bryan, and other quintessentially American moments of the 19th century.

But make no mistake about it--The American Century is very much rooted in the modern world. Evans's tight, journalistic prose marks the significant events and personages in America's rise to superpower status and offers several educational surprises, such as a two-page spread on too-little-known naval historian Alfred Mahan, whose The Influence of Sea Power upon History shaped foreign policy in America and several European nations. His treatments of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s and the Watergate crisis are substantial highlights. Juxtapositions such as Ralph Nader and Rachel Carson or Jimmy Hoffa and Cesar Chavez make for a lively overview. The book essentially ends with the inauguration of George Bush in 1989, although brief mention is made to some of what has happened since then. Filled with photographs and contemporary editorial cartoons, The American Century is an excellent one-volume chronicle of a rather momentous 100 years.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, American, Reference

736 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 1998

About the author

Harold Evans is an English-born journalist and writer who was editor of the Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981. A graduate of Durham University, he has written a number of bestselling histories. He followed the late Alistair Cooke in commentaries on America for the BBC. An American citizen since 1993, he has held positions as editor-in-chief of the Atlantic Monthly Press, founding editor of the prize-winning Conde Nast Traveler; editorial director of the Atlantic and US News and the New York Daily News; and president and publisher of Random House. He holds the British Press Awards' Gold Award for Lifetime Achievement of Journalists. In 2001 British journalists voted him the all-time greatest British newspaper editor, and in 2004 he was knighted. Since 2011, he has been editor-at-large for Reuters.

Reviews

[Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to historical photos, Harold Evans decided that there was no such thing as too much. This coffee table book tells the story of the United States in the 20th century with no only photos but well-written text as well. He looks not only at the big events and leaders but makes sure to show how Americans lived and the ways our culture changed during that century without relying on platitudes. This book belongs on every American history buff's coffee table. A book I have long treasured.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

The American Century by Harold Evans (Alfred A. Knopf 1998) (973.9) is a huge coffee table-sized book that well summarizes the twentieth century. Roughly divided into chapters corresponding to decades, I was impressed with how readable the author made what was at times hard slogging. My rating: 8/10, finished 1/28/13.

[Robby Delaware · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking to sit down with a couple beers and look at an amazing book, I recommend this one. Truly astounding. Got as a Christmas gift in the 90's, re-read this summer.

[Sean Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really should be required reading for every student of American History--and for every American. As with all great history books, this one goes beyond just relating events, dates and people. Rather, it gives the reader a deeper understanding of what really was going on in a variety of areas. The sections on the two world wars and the Civil Rights movement are particularly good.

As an example of the deeper analysis Evans gives us, he doesn't give us the plain vanilla standard reasoning behind the dropping of the first Atomic bombs (to avoid an invasion of mainland China and save lives). Avoiding an invasion was part of it, but he also talks at length about Trumans' motives, including the very strong desire to act in Japan before Russia had a chance to mobilize and ask to be part of any invasion. The Atomic bomb ended the war quickly and also gave Americans full control in determining how to manage post-war Japan.

[Betty Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing book was unfortunately eclipsed at the time of publication, around 1998, by similar-themed but lesser books by Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather. I saw Harold Evans on TV C-Span’s Booknotes at the time, marvelously interviewed by Brian Lamb, & knew I had to head to Barnes & Noble immediately & shell out $50 for this quality work.

[Kathy Burden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book if you're a history buff. Very interesting, and terrific photographs. The more I study history, the more I realize history really does repeat itself at times!

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! This was a lucid and candid read with lots of great pictures to explain what words could not.