Life During the Great Depression

VOYA - Kevin S. Beach

These three books, each with its own strong points, would all be excellent additions for a school or public library collection. All are similarly attractive, well written, and part of a successful series. Nardo's book is part of the Opposing Viewpoints Digests series that emphasizes debate of controversial issues. The text opens with a brief history of the origins and attempts to combat the growing economic depression. At the time there were many ideas about how to remedy the crisis, and the book examines four viewpoints related to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs and the concept of self-help versus government assistance. Other topics investigated include the social security system, how ethnic groups were affected, and what ultimately pulled the United States out of the ten-year slump. Opinions crediting the preparation for World War II and FDR's leadership are presented. Popular work projects such as WPA and TVA are discussed. Each chapter supplies numerous references that support the viewpoints offered. Appendices include the texts of important Hoover and FDR speeches, plus three personal recollections of citizens who lived through the era. Suggested study questions round out each chapter. A few cartoons and photos support the text. Nishi's book is part of The Way People Live series, which in other volumes has examined life in such diverse communities as Eskimo villages and the Warsaw Ghetto of World War II. This title emphasizes the human side of the Depression. Life in "Hooverilles," makeshift shanty towns, is examined. Conditions in cities, rural areas, in the Oklahoma dust bowl, and on the road (hobos) are compared. Social issues such as growing crime, hygiene, family stress, and fear of violence are vividly described as are some of the popular diversions such as flag pole sitting, radio programs, and music. This title is a virtual "snapshot" of the 1930s, with similar photos as the Nardo book. In soup kitchens and in the government programs, citizens struggled to maintain human dignity and hope. This title was the most readable of the three. The Causes and Consequences series has looked at past wars and the civil rights movement. Ross's volume includes the international perspective, examining the economic depressions rampant around the globe at the time; one example is how Germany's crisis helped to place Hitler in a position of power. This is a somewhat dry account of the political upheavals and establishment of government policies to control industry; however, it includes great color photos and its glossary and chronology are helpful. The stock market crash is adequately covered. All of these books are recommended for libraries serving students needing resource material for the Great Depression era. Index. Photos. Biblio. Source Notes. Further Reading. Note: This review was written and published to address three titles-The Great Depression, Life during the Great Depression, and Causes and Consequences of the Great Depression. VOYA Codes: 5Q 2P M J (Hard to imagine it being any better written, For the YA with a special interest in the subject, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8 and Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9).

School Library Journal

Gr 6-10-Rather than concentrating on the origins of the Great Depression and the Stock Market Crash, this series offering focuses instead on the people of the United States and how they coped with the resultant political, social, and cultural disruptions in their lives. Nishi presents a well-crafted fusion of information, statistics, and apt quotations that have been thoughtfully selected from primary and secondary sources. The concise text is straightforward, objective, and lively. The author lets the words of the era's participants, backed-up with facts, tell the story of that turbulent time of change. Black-and-white photos, reproductions, and maps enhance the presentation. An extensive bibliography and a useful index are appended.-David A. Lindsey, Lakewood High and Middle School Libraries, WA