The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972

This is history that reads like a novel. Beginning with the advent of the Roosevelt administration in 1932 William Manchester chronicles the cultural history of America through the subsequent four decades ending with the beginning of the second Nixon administration. Through all those years Manchester highlights the events that animated the American people and had a profound impact on life in America. Whether it was life during the depression, the home front of WWII, the rise of corporate America, or the turbulent sixties with protest and more war the book provides a clear if breathtaking narrative of the immensity of change. His coverage includes the famous whether they are political like Truman and McCarthy or cultural icons like show more Hepburn and Tracy. Fads are not neglected as evidenced by discussions of Swing music, victory gardens, and hula hoops. The major social movements range from the bonus marchers to The Silent Generation to the Woodstock Generation. For those readers, like myself, who experienced some of those events (the fifties and sixties in my case) the book becomes an interesting blend of history and nostalgia. But no matter what your age, Manchester is a good historian and writer who is a joy to read. show less

An interesting—and unusual—approach to history. It works well, really. I didn't entirely trust the history presented; it seemed a bit too . . . pro-establishment, I guess. Sometimes in ways that look naive with hindsight. But I did trust it enough to continue with it, and it was fun to go along with the ride. You'd have to be a bit of a history junkie to even consider a volume this size, and if you are one, you may find that it's not as serious as you'd like. But myself, I thought it struck a decent balance.

This is pop history that richly deserves its place on the shelf beside the deeper books of the higher brows. What they achieve through rigors of distillation, Manchester achieves through sheer abundance; almost as if he had deliberately chosen to flaunt the normal process of historical analysis. He gives us pointillist history: the masses of detail of American life merge & resolve into their own meanings, without need of interpretation. This is no mere blizzard of social confetti: every item is carefully fitted to the flow of the whole. Paradoxically, it's all delivered in parsimonious prose, so brisk & lucid that it's like reading a 1300-page telegram. You'll be surprised at how quickly 40 years can pass when you're enjoying every show more page! show less

I've been reading bio's of U.S. Presidents and this book was a terrific addition to the history of the era it covers. From FDR through Nixon it covered politics, economy, labor, the arts, giving a broader view of the times then the president bio's that look at everything through the subjects eyes.
I had read a few similar books, American Colossus by H.W. Brands, which did the Gilded Age, and Page Smiths America Enters The World and Redeeming The Time which did the early 1900's through FDR.
All were enjoyable, if long, and made understanding a presidents decisions a little easier.
A little more dense then the previous mentioned books, it still offered a great compliment to the period. It brought up many things I wouldn't have considered on show more my own which made it fun to read, and think about.
I would definitely recommend this, along with the others, to get a good sense of America during the times they cover. show less

I've been reading bio's of U.S. Presidents and this book was a terrific addition to the history of the era it covers. From FDR through Nixon it covered politics, economy, labor, the arts, giving a broader view of the times then the president bio's that look at everything through the subjects eyes.
I had read a few similar books, American Colossus by H.W. Brands, which did the Gilded Age, and Page Smiths America Enters The World and Redeeming The Time which did the early 1900's through FDR.
All were enjoyable, if long, and made understanding a presidents decisions a little easier.
A little more dense then the previous mentioned books, it still offered a great compliment to the period. It brought up many things I wouldn't have considered on show more my own which made it fun to read, and think about.
I would definitely recommend this, along with the others, to get a good sense of America during the times they cover. show less

A survey of interesting times, well written and informative. Lots of insights and personal references make it a very easy and quick history of the time in which the USA became the dominant power in the world.

A forty-year study of the American national character. At various times thrilling, grotesque, encouraging, depressing. What must be said about it is that it's spectacular - and all true. Easily the best book I've read in 2009.