The Big Change, Frederick Lewis Allen
The Big Change, Frederick Lewis Allen
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The Big Change
America Transforms Itself 1900-1950

Author: Frederick Lewis Allen

Narrator: Stephen Caffrey

Unabridged: 13 hr 7 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/22/2023


Synopsis

During the first fifty years of the twentieth century, the United States saw two world wars, a devastating economic depression, and more social, political, and economic changes than in any other five-decade period before. Frederick Lewis Allen, former editor of Harper's Magazine, recounts these years—spanning World War I, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, World War II, and the early Cold War—in vivid detail, from the fashions and customs of the times to major events that changed the course of history.

Politically, the United States grew into its own as a global superpower during these years, even as domestic developments altered the everyday lives of its citizens. The introduction of the automobile, mass production, and organized labor changed the way Americans lived and worked, while innovations like penicillin and government regulation of food safety contributed to an increase in average life expectancy from forty-nine years in 1900 to sixty-eight years in 1950. With the development of a strong, centralized government, a thriving middle class, and widespread economic prosperity, the nation emerged from the Second World War transformed in virtually every way.

Richly informative, The Big Change is an indispensable volume charting the many changes that ushered in our contemporary age.

About Frederick Lewis Allen

Frederick Lewis Allen (1890-1954) was editor of Harper's Magazine from 1941 to 1954. His other books include The Great Pierpont Morgan, Since Yesterday, and The Lords of Creation.


Reviews

Goodreads review by CoachJim on December 31, 2022

The subtitle of this book is “America Transforms Itself.” That is a great description of the theme that the author returns to again and again in this book. From the Reform Movement during the presidency of Teddy Roosevelt to the New Deal of Franklin Roosevelt Americans found that they could make sma......more

Goodreads review by Bob on July 14, 2016

Summary: A social history of the United States from 1900 to 1950 chronicling the expansion of the middle class, the technological changes that occurred, and the impact of two World Wars and the Depression. Want to know what life was like for your grandparents or great grandparents, and the changes th......more

Goodreads review by Cameron on July 22, 2018

The Big Change: America Transforms Itself: 1900-1950 - Frederick Lewis Allen First, I wish to thank NetGalley and Open Road Media for the opportunity to read this digital e-book in exchange for an unbiased, honest review. A funny thing happened when I requested Frederick Lewis Allen’s book, The Big Ch......more

Goodreads review by Robert2481 on June 26, 2022

The author died in the early 1950's, so he was witness to what he wrote. That gave the book an interesting perception.......more

Goodreads review by Donna on September 22, 2016

2.5 rounded up. The Big Change was a National Book Award finalist back in the day as well as a New York Times bestseller. I was invited to read and review it now that it’s being released in digital form; thanks go to Net Galley and Open Road Integrated Media. I’ve read and reviewed more than 50 titl......more