And a Time for Hope: Americans in the Great Depression

(Hardback)

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Creating a broad, new vision of the 1930s, this highly readable social history shows that despite the hard times, Americans faced the Depression years with a characteristic resilience and optimism. Though more seriously affected by the Depression than Europe, Americans weathered hardship while European societies floundered, accepted dictatorships, or were caught in bitter ideological conflicts. Existing depictions of the era emphasize the negatives and overlook the diverse strengths of the American people, their ability to cope with temporary deprivation, and their triumphant retention of hope for themselves and the future of their society. Restoring perspective on the era, this book looks at Americans' solid value systems, their diverse support systems, their religious life, and the role of FDR and the New Deal. Although the New Deal helped undeniably, social and cultural resources played a major role in the stability of American society and the resiliency with which Americans withstood the severity of the Great Depression. Confirming this interpretation, McGovern takes a close look at numerous facets of American liferural areas, great cities, the Okie Odyssey, labor, African Americans, ethnic organizations, radio and films, technology and design. All reveal sources of confidence, abundant energy, and robust action, typical of a hopeful people. This study attempts to explain the successes and achievements of Americans in the 1930s.

Reviews

"And a Time for Hope is an innovative book. Unlike historians who have focused on Washington, D.C. and Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1930s, James McGovern looks at the American people. And in contrast to the traditional view that the nation was traumatized by hard times, he shows the American people to have been remarkably resilient. Readers will find this challenging, lively account well worth their attention."-William E. Leuchtenburg William Rand Kenan Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"And a Time for Hope is deeply researched and wide-ranging. James McGovern gives a comprehensive account of the tribulations of the American people during the nation's greatest economic crisis."-David M. Kennedy Professor of History, Stanford University
McGovern has written a fascinating account of a vibrant American cultural and social life that (as William Faulkner might have said) not only endured but prevailed in the depression decade....Mcgovern's book belongs on a list of essential reading.-EH.NET
Provides a solid and accessible overview of US society in the 1930s, and convincingly makes a significant and counterintuitive point that the Depression years were not always perceived as depressing.'-Choice
"Provides a solid and accessible overview of US society in the 1930s, and convincingly makes a significant and counterintuitive point that the Depression years were not always perceived as depressing.'"-Choice
"McGovern has written a fascinating account of a vibrant American cultural and social life that (as William Faulkner might have said) not only endured but prevailed in the depression decade....Mcgovern's book belongs on a list of essential reading."-EH.NET

Author Bio

JAMES R. MCGOVERN is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of West Florida. His study Anatomy of a Lynching: The Killing of Claude Neal (1982) won the Patrick Rembert Award for Outstanding Book on Florida history.