20th Century American History - General & Miscellaneous

Twentieth-Century America: A Brief History

Name: Twentieth-Century America: A Brief History
Author: Thomas C. Reeves
ISBN: 9780195044843

by Thomas C. Reeves

Available on Bookshop Write a review

Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.

Overview

Twentieth-Century America offers a succinct, comprehensive, and objective examination of recent American history. From Progressivism and the New Deal up to the present, Reeves covers all aspects of American history without burying students in unnecessary detail and trivia. This allows students to grasp the major developments and continuities of American history and to come away with a cohesive picture of the twentieth century. From William McKinley and the Wright Brothers to Michael Jordan and Monica Lewinsky, Reeves lays bare the whole of the twentieth century with an interpretation that strives for an unbiased and accurate presentation of the real story of American history. The author conveys vivid accounts of the changes in the political arena, public policy, popular culture, industry, economy, race, gender, and class that defined the times, and explores the great strides made in technology, living standards, working conditions, and education. He stresses social as well as political and economic history, emphasizing the roles played by all Americans--including immigrants, minorities, women, and working people--and pays special attention to such topics as religion, crime, morality, public health, national prosperity, and the media. Reeves presents both sides of controversial subjects and is careful to point out which interpretations were most strongly supported. The recommended readings at the end of each chapter have been specifically selected to appeal to students and to acquaint them with the most readable and provocative books on each era. For a clear and fascinating look at the often exciting and always important history of the United States, Twentieth-Century America is an indispensable text for all students interested in a lucid historical overview of this country's past one hundred years.

Synopsis

As this most tumultuous century draws to a close, the need for a concise and trustworthy history is clear. Recent decades have seen the publication of American histories that are either bloated with unnecessary detail or infused with a polemical purpose that undermines their authority. InTwentieth-Century America, Thomas C. Reeves provides a fluidly written narrative history that combines the rare virtues of compression, inclusiveness, and balance.
From Progressivism and the New Deal right up to the present, Reeves covers all aspects of American history, providing solid coverage of each era without burying readers in needless detail or trivia. This approach allows readers to grasp the major developments and continuities of American history and to come away with a cohesive picture of the whole of the twentieth century. The volume stresses social and well as political history, emphasizing the roles played by all Americans—including immigrants, minorities, women, and working people—and pays special attention to such topics as religion, crime, public health, national prosperity, and the media. Reeves is careful throughout to present both sides of controversial subjects and yet does not leave readers bewildered about which interpretations are most strongly supported or where to explore these issues more thoroughly. At the conclusion of each chapter, the author cites ten authoritative volumes for further study. The bibliographies, as well as the text, are refreshing in their lack of ideological bent. "Objectivity," Reeves suggests, "is an illusive but worthy goal for the historian."
For anyone wishing to achieve a lucid historical overview of the past 100 years, Twentieth-Century America is the best place to start.

Library Journal

Reeves (Univ. of Wisconsin, Parkside) has designed this book as a succinct review of recent American history. Aimed at general readers and undergraduates, it provides reliable history without excessive detail and conflicting viewpoints. Moving from 1900 through recent events in Kosovo, Reeves writes the American story engagingly and without much ideological interpretation. The only weakness here (not a major one) is a lack of coverage of popular culture. Mostly, however, this is an admirable, well-written success that readers interested in American history will appreciate. For all public and academic libraries, especially those with less-than-adequate budgets.--Edward Gibson, Langston Hughes Memorial Lib., Lincoln Univ., PA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

About the Author, Thomas C. Reeves

Thomas C. Reeves is Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, Parkside and Senior Fellow at the Wisconsin Policy Institute. The author of The Life and Times of Joe McCarthy and the best-selling A Question of Character: A Life of John F. Kennedy, he lives in Franksville, Wisconsin.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Library Journal

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-Reeves competently describes the changes that have occurred in the United States over the last century as our country has grown from a brash newcomer among the older European nations into the lone superpower and global economic dynamo that we are today. All of the major issues and events are touched upon in this clearly written, though somewhat bland recital. The text is arranged in short chronological chapters and is accompanied by a sprinkling of black-and-white photos. There is thorough coverage and thoughtful analysis of each presidency from Theodore Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. The changing roles of women, the recognition of the civil rights of African Americans, and the gradual improvements in their standard of living and access to higher education are adequately covered. The sexual revolution and other counterculture influences of the `60s and `70s are duly noted. "Monicagate" and the impeachment of Bill Clinton receive a brief, but clear explanation as well. The U.S. intervention in Kosovo and the bombing of Yugoslavia conclude the volume. A short, helpful list of suggested readings follows each chapter. Students should find this a useful no-frills introduction to the topic, adequate for an introductory course or quick reference. Harold Evans's much larger and more attractively packaged The American Century (Knopf, 1998) provides similar coverage with a multitude of fascinating photos and an extensive bibliography, but its size makes it more suitable for reference.-Douglas Wooley, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

From the author of The Empty Church (1996) comes another ideology-saturated piece of propaganda masquerading as history. Twentieth-Century America claims to be a college textbook, but it is really a lament about the crumbling of "traditional" values. In a chapter called "The ‘Best Years,'" Reeves declares that "to a great many Americans who lived through them, the years 1953 to 1963 were an especially pleasant time in this country's history." Before we can suggest that Betty Friedan (not to mention Rosa Parks) might take issue with his description of life under Eisenhower, Reeves quotes a 1995 journalist's assertion that elderly women who were young mothers in the suburbs during the `50s would "tell you those were the best years they can remember." His portrait of the century's close is revealing: He crows about the collapse of welfare as we know it, and wonders where have all the morals gone. Reeves relies entirely on the work of William Raspberry and Stephan and Abigail Thernstrom when discussing African-Americans in the `90s, and he is more concerned with black participation in the sports stadium than in the voting booth (the large photograph of Michael Jordan will tell you you're on the right page). The erosion of Christendom is a favorite theme, and in the final chapter Reeves proclaims that "the courts, in the name of the separation of church and state, were a major force in restricting the impact of the Christian faith. Among other things, they outlawed prayer in the public schools and drove Christian symbols out of public places. The highly influential New York Times and the American Civil Liberties Union, among others, applauded these rulings." Somehow, Reeves neglects tomention that the NYT's and the ACLU's applause was part of an international Jewish plot. If you want to learn about contemporary cultural conservatism, start here; if you're interested in the nation's past, skip Twentieth-Century America. (30 halftones)