Studs Terkel's classic history of the Great Depression. In this unique re-creation of one of the most dramatic periods in modern American history, Studs Terkel recaptures the Great Depression of the 1930s in all its complexity. The book is a mosaic of memories from those who were richest to those who were most destitute: politicians like James Farley and Raymond Moley; businessmen like Bill Benton and Clement Stone; a six-day bicycle racer; artists and writers; racketeers; speakeasy operators, strikers, and impoverished farmers; people who were just kids; and those who remember losing a fortune.
Hard Times is not only a gold mine of information-much of it little known-but also a fascinating interplay of memory and fact, showing how the Depression affected the lives of those who experienced it firsthand, often transforming the most bitter memories into a surprising nostalgia.
Customer Review: gives voices to those who lived through the Depression
As a former grad student in History, I found this book fascinating. Author Studs Terkel interviews people who lived through the Depression and gets their takes on that difficult period. We hear the experiences and memories of those who lived through it from multiple points of view. The book was published in 1970 and much of the research was accordingly done during the second half of the '60s which was also quite a turbulent time in the United States. Accordingly, a question which Terkel most frequently asks his subjects is how people would react to a Depression at that time. Most thought little of the ability of those coming of age or boomers during the '60s to weather the travails of the Depression. Many also thought that a worse Depression was coming. That would seem not to have been the case although it would seem that since the publication of this book, the economic standing of the large majority of Americans has actually decreased. With the current economic troubles in the United States (and the world), it was interesting to read of the difficulties experienced by many people during the Depression. It was also very interesting to read of the strong anti-Roosevelt-ism among many business magnates and the highest ranks of the upper-middle class. It was also intriguing to read of the belief of some that the Depression did not extend past 1936. Having not studied much Depression history in nearly 20 years, at least not in any great depth, and certainly not having heard people offering their own accounts of their experiences during the Depression, this book was tremendously enlightening. Terkel interviews old retired farmers. He interviews men who were factory workers during the Depression. He interviews those who worked in social services attempting to alleviate some of the pains of the Depression. As mentioned, he interviews business magnates. He interviews many who were help during the '30s-many of whom were black. By virtue of his speaking to such a wide variety of people, one does not believe that one has a limited understanding of the range of experiences had by people during this time period. We see history from the point-of-view of those with a wide variety of economic backgrounds. This allows the reader to see the subjectivity of history and introduces points of view (the poor, women, black and Latino people) which one might not read of in a textbook. The stories and their specificity of recall are fascinating. This really is a gem of a book. It expands the range off thinking about the '30s and I am sure opened avenues of thinking to historical researchers who wanted to broaden the scope of recollections about the Depression. If you think you're only getting a limited perspective about the experiences of the '30s, please read this book.
Customer Review: The revolution that shoulda, coulda been
This is the first book I've read on America's experience of the Great Depression of the 1930s. My parents and other relatives and some of my older friends went through it. One man whom I knew, frequently brought it up and with great bitterness and anger, often directing that anger to others around him - especially those who were younger and didn't go through it - while others had little or nothing to say and seemed to brush it aside. Most though, seem to just want to forget it. One fine elderly woman - my grandmother - was incredibly generous and loving to others the rest of her life, because of living through it. It still stuns me to see how these people with similar experiences could react so differently so many years later. The author, being a Chicago man, places a lot of emphasis on the Depression as it hit that city and its citizens. Also he has a definite Left-oriented sort of outlook - and after reading this book it becomes entirely understandable. He frequently brings up the possibilities of revolution during the 1930s when so many ordinary and poor people lost just about everything. But the message comes through clearly that the Americans of those years firstly still had respect for law and order and the government, and secondly they had a kind of optimism or set of positive 'it will pass' illusions that kept them going. Reading how people were treated back then, it is nonetheless a wonder that they really didn't rise up and overthrow the entire capitalist system. If a similar Depression occurred today, it would happen. And that is also the reflection of many voices in this book. I highly recommend this book to everyone. More than anything else, it taught me to understand more clearly how and why different generational values and perceptions were formed from that period - and how they have come to impact succeeding generations.
If you are a history buff there is much for you in the city of Dayton, Ohio. You have museums and a number of historical destinations to visit. One other great place to take in is the Dayton Aviation National Historic Park. Keep reading and learn about this local attraction.
The Dayton Aviation National Historic Park was founded by Aviation Trail Inc. Aviation Trail Inc is a non profit group that was formed in 1981 to protect and educate people about the city of Dayton's unique aviation history. The park today is managed by a partnership between federal and local government and private citizens. There are four different parts of the park. You have the Wright Cycle Company and Hoover Block, the Paul Laurence Dunbar house, the Huffman Prairie Flying Field and the 1905 Wright Flyer III. The park celebrates both the work of the Wright brothers before and after their famous flight at Kitty Hawk and the works of Dunbar the famous African American poet and writer. At the Wright Cycle Company you will find the restored building where the Wright brothers once operated a Bicycle shop.
Next door at the Hoover Block you will find the home of the printing business that they operated at an earlier time. The Dunbar house is a house that Paul Laurence Dunbar bought for his mother and wrote and published more than 20 books. Finally you have Huffman Prairie Flying Field. This was the home of the Wrights hangar and school of aviation. It is quite an extensive complex and one that will fascinate any history or aircraft buff. This makes it a must see attraction in Dayton, Ohio.
If you would like to visit the park you can find it at 22 S Williams St. For more information you can call the information line at 937-225-7705. Have Fun.
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Uncover little-known facts about the world's superstructures, from buildings such as the Sears Tower to bridges, dams and boats. 48 minutes. 