Hard Times An Oral History of Great Depression

In this unique re-creation of one of the most dramatic periods in modern American history, Studs Terkel recaptures the Great Depression of the 1930s in all its complexity. The book is a mosaic of memories from those who were richest to those who were most destitute: politicians like James Farley and Raymond Moley; businessmen like Bill Benton and Clement Stone; a six-day bicycle racer; artists and writers; racketeers; speakeasy operators, strikers, and impoverished farmers; people who were just kids; and those who remember losing a fortune. Hard Timesis not only a gold mine of information--much of it little known--but also a fascinating interplay of memory and fact, showing how the Depression affected the lives of those who experienced it firsthand, often transforming the most bitter memories into a surprising nostalgia.

Anybody who wants to know where we were and how we got to where we are now'"read this book.

Wonderful!....It will resurrect your faith in all of us to read this book.Open [it] to almost any page and rich memories spill out....Read a page, any page. Then try to stop.Anybody who wants to know where we were and how we got to where we are now--read this book.

-- Arthur Miller

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Good War: A masterpiece of modern journalism and "a huge anthem in praise of the American spirit" (Saturday Review).

In this "invaluable record" of one of the most dramatic periods in modern American history, Studs Terkel recaptures the Great Depression of the 1930s in all its complexity. Featuring a mosaic of memories from politicians, businessmen, artists, striking workers, and Okies, from those who were just kids to those who remember losing a fortune, Hard Times is not only a gold mine of information but a fascinating interplay of memory and fact, revealing how the 1929 stock market crash and its repercussions radically changed the lives of a generation. The voices that speak from the pages of this unique book are as timeless as the lessons they impart (The New York Times).

"Hard Times doesn't 'render' the time of the depression--it is that time, its lingo, mood, its tragic and hilarious stories." --Arthur Miller

"Wonderful The American memory, the American way, the American voice. It will resurrect your faith in all of us to read this book." --Newsweek

"Open Studs Terkel's book to almost any page and rich memories spill out . . . Read a page, any page. Then try to stop." --The National Observer

An invaluable record.A huge anthem in praise of the American spirit.

In Hard Times, Studs Terkel captures the Depression in all its vast complexity, assembling a mosaic of memories as told by those who faced destitution as well as those who stayed rich. The book is a gold mine of information that vividly illustrates the Depression's effect on those who lived through it, and shows how bitter memories can be transformed into a surprising nostalgia. The book ultimately serves as "a huge anthem in praise of the American spirit" (Saturday Review).

In this unique recreation of one of the most dramatic periods in modern American history, Studs Terkel recaptures the Great Depression of the 1930s in all its complexity. Featuring a mosaic of memories from politicians, businessmen, artists, and writers, from those who were just kids to those who remember losing a fortune, Hard Times is not only a gold mine of information but a fascinating interplay of memory and fact, revealing how the Depression affected the lives of those who experienced it firsthand.

Born in 1912, Studs Terkelis the bestselling author of twelve books of oral history, including Working, Hard Times, and the Pulitzer Prize--winning 'The Good War'(all available from The New Press). He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including a Presidential National Humanities Medal and the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.