The Perils of Prosperity, 1914-1932

By William E. Leuchtenburg

Book Overview

Beginning with Woodrow Wilson and U.S. entry into World War I and closing with the Great Depression, The Perils of Prosperity traces the transformation of America from an agrarian, moralistic, isolationist nation into a liberal, industrialized power involved in foreign affairs in spite of itself.

William E. Leuchtenburg's lively yet balanced account of this hotly debated era in American history has been a standard text for many years. This substantial revision gives greater weight to the roles of women and minorities in the great changes of the era and adds new insights into literature, the arts, and technology in daily life. He has also updated the lists of important dates and resources for further reading.

"This book gives us a rare opportunity to enjoy the matured interpretation of an American Historian who has returned to the story and seen how recent decades have added meaning and vividness to this epoch of our history."--Daniel J. Boorstin, from the Preface

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226473716
• ISBN13: 9780226473710
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Enjoyable "textbook"

Originally I purchased this book as part of my required college history class. Needless to say, I wasn't expecting much. This book was a huge surprise. Some people may be turned off by Leuchtenberg's "negative" appraisal of the early 20th century. But his arguments are well-supported and his opinions are clearly outlined against the facts. The best feature of this book is the sheer volume of time-specific setting information. Tons of examples from then-contemporary newspapers, books, and movies immerse the reader in the time period.

Excellent book on the 20's

Leuchtenburg's book is an excellent work that shows in depth the various aspects of life in the 1920's. Whether you are interested in the pop culture, politics, or economics of the time, this book has it all. A very interesting and easy read. Recommended for people who want to learn about the 1920's and life in America during that time.

Scandals and Speakeasies

I had to read this book for my American History Since 1877 course. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. I thought I knew about the 1920's, and after reading this book I knew that I knew nothing at all.This book covers ever aspect of the decade and gives it more than just a name. The book covers political, economic, and social issues of the day. It explains the state of the nation in the previous decade as well to give us better understanding of what was to come at the decades end. The book was also easy to understand and did not try to overcompensate with formal language. Anyone could understand the messages conveyed.Overall I enjoyed this book and would read it again just to enjoy it.

Very Good and Informative Book about the 1920's

William Leuchtenberg wrote a very good and informative history about the 1920's. He explains life before 1914, World War 1, Prohibition, The Scopes Trial, The Teapot Dome Scandal, The Presidental Administrations of Harding, Coolidge and Hoover, The Great Depression, and The 1932 Election of Franklin D. Roosevelt. He also covers the role of Women, African-Americans, race relations, and The Ku-Klux-Klan. A book worth reading.

Excellent Overview of the 1910s and 1920s

This is an outstanding history of pre-Crash America. Leuchtenburg is one of the country's best historians of the New Deal, but in this text he does a wonderful job of providing the backstory to that era. Very lively stories, wonderfully written.