Social History of the United States: [10 volumes]

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Description

This ten-volume encyclopedia explores the social history of 20th-century America in rich, authoritative detail, decade by decade, through the eyes of its everyday citizens. Social History of the United States is a cornerstone reference that tells the story of 20th-century America, examining the interplay of policies, events, and everyday life in each decade of the 1900s with unmatched authority, clarity, and insight. Spanning ten volumes and featuring the work of some of the foremost social historians working today, Social History of the United States bridges the gap between 20th-century history as it played out on the grand stage and history as it affectedand was affected bycitizens at the grassroots level. Covering each decade in a separate volume, this exhaustive work draws on the most compelling scholarship to identify important themes and institutions, explore daily life and working conditions across the economic spectrum, and examine all aspects of the American experience from a citizen's-eye view. Casting the spotlight on those whom history often leaves in the dark, Social History of the United States is an essential addition to any library collection.

Reviews

BOTTOM LINE: The editors and authors of the set attempted to create a narrative coherence throughout the ten volumes--a feature that separates it from traditional encyclopedia sets on the topic. Recommended for college and university libraries serving lower-division undergraduates. * Library Journal *
The impressive 10-volume set Social History of the United States divides history into eras (the 1900s, the 1930s) for each volume, allowing for a narrowed, more detailed examination than most offer The set is wide-ranging and makes for a top reference pick for both high school and college-level collections strong in sociology and American history. Very highly recommended, it promises to hold lasting research value and is a particularly strong starting point for papers and classroom discussions. * Midwest Book Review *
The introduction asserts that '[O]rdinary people make history,' and the set does a fine job of explaining how their actions, labor, and beliefs collectively shaped the course of 20th-century American life. Each volume covers a single decade and is divided into topical chapters ('Industrialization and Labor Discontent' in 1910s, 'The New Gilded Age and the American Social Divide' in 1990s). While the work discusses major events such as wars and elections, its focus is on how segments of the population, including workers, farmers, women, ethnic groups, and immigrants, either influenced or were affected by those events. The authors also examine popular culture and the impact of print and electronic media on leisure pursuits and consumer behavior. This compendium provides a fascinating and informative perspective on topics often overlooked in traditional histories, making it an outstanding choice. * School Library Journal *
This ten-volume set includes an excellent introduction to the topic for students, inviting them to appreciate the study of social historyRich with images and data Additionally, and of great value for high school students, each subject-focused chapter includes its own topical overview, timeline, description and analysis of important events * Pennsylvania School Librarians Association *
This exceptional set discusses the social history of the United States from the 1900s to the 1990s through such themes as Work and the Workplace, Radicalism and Reform, Popular Culture, Sex and Gender, and Religion. . . . For any library, high school, public, or academic wanting to increase its holdings in the field of American History, this is a needed purchase. Highly Recommended. * Library Media Connection, Starred Review *
This work readily accomplishes its primary goalnamely, to offer a readable and comprehensive social history of American life in the twentieth century for a general audience. For high school and college students researching topics in numerous disciplines this would be an excellent source. * ARBA *

Author Bio

Brian Greenberg is the Jules Plangere, Jr. Chair in American Social History at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ. Richard A. Greenwald is associate professor of history and director of the Business, Society, and Culture Program at Drew University, Madison, NJ, and an associate editor at the journal Enterprise & Society. Gordon Reavley is a tutor in art history and critical theory at the University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education, in Oxford, UK. Linda S. Watts is professor of American studies at the University of Washington, Bothell, WA. Alice George is an independent historian and writer for the History News Service, an informal syndicate of professional historians who seek to improve the public's understanding of current events. Scott Beekman is assistant professor of history at the University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH. Cecelia Bucki is associate professor of history at Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT. Mark Ciabattari is a social and cultural historian, essayist, lecturer, and novelist. John C. Stoner is assistant professor of history at Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY. Troy D. Paino Troy D. Paino is the provost, vice president of academic affairs, and professor of history at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO. Laurie Mercier is associate professor of history at Washington State University Vancouver, Vancouver, WA. Peter C. Holloran is associate professor of history at Worcester State College, Worcester, MA, and an editor of the Journal of Popular Culture. Andrew Hunt is associate professor of history at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Nancy Cohen is a visiting scholar at the Institute of Industrial Relations at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.