Expanding the American Dream: Building and Rebuilding Levittown (New Cultural History

by Barbara M. Kelly

Barbara M. Kelly is Assistant Professor and Curator of the Long Island Studies Institute at Hofstra University.

Genres: Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Janet Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having spent my childhood in Hicksville, Long Island (technically part of Levittown, I believe), I benefited greatly from this cultural/sociological study of how Levitt houses either suited or shaped the lives of the families who lived in them. Just two quibbles: 1) the endnotes were so interesting that I found myself reading all of them and having to flip back and forth--should more of this information have been incorporated into the body of the chapters? and 2) the illustrations could have been more professional-looking. A nice niche addition to my library.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

My sister gave this to me for Christmas 2003. We grew up in a Levitt house (Levittown, L.I.). My father is still living in the original Levitt house he moved into (and where my brother and 3 sisters were all raised) in 1949.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite book on the subject of the postwar suburb. Discusses the issue of suburbia in a more nuanced and in-depth fashion than I would expect.