We Had Everything But Money

by Deb Mulvey (Editor)

Personal accounts and anecdotes offer insight into life during the Great Depression, describing such events as the closing of the banks, looking for a job, braving the ""Dust Bowl,"" and discovering homemade fun.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

162 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1992

Reviews

[Rose Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandma is a 96-year-old retired schoolteacher who used to participate in book clubs and pass grocery sacks of Danielle Steele paperbacks between friends before her failing vision prevented her from reading anymore. Last summer, she found an old notecard scrawled with a book title in her then-careful penmanship and lamented the fact that now she'd never be able to read that book.

The book? We Had Everything But Money.

I searched for an audiobook version, but when I discovered one didn't exist, I recorded my own version as a Christmas gift for my grandma. It mattered so much to me that my grandma had the chance to "read" this book for the same reason that I insist on getting copies of MK Asante and Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas and Trevor Noah into my students' hands: seeing your own experience represented in literature is powerful...whether you're 16 or 96.

Each week in 2021, I'd read and record a new chapter, and I enjoyed the experience more than I ever thought. Some chapters had me choked up; every chapter had me chuckling.

The pandemic was a good time to read this book; the chapter about the Dust Bowl felt particularly meaningful. After wiping inches of accumulated dust from the *inside* of their homes, it felt totally valid for people to wonder if it would ever rain again. The knowledge that it did, again, rain is a balm in an uncertain world where normalcy feels similarly out-of-reach.

I want every reader of this book to be given a copy of Clint Smith's poem "When people say 'we have made it through worse before,'" though. Obviously, the victors are telling their stories in this compilation of magazine articles, but while I read the positive spin on really dismal events, like Smith, "all I hear is the wind slapping against the gravestones / of those who did not make it."

[Kate Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book for its nostalgia and a look at our history. It will make you reevaluate your life and make you feel very rich, blessed, and realize how much opportunity and abundance we have these days. I don't take things for granted, but this book is changing my life in very good ways.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to buy this, and when I received it in the mail, I read it is fast as possible. This book, however, is not something through which one can speed. The amount of little stories, though organized very well, forces the reader to pause and think. I made sure to read each contributer, and where they lived. There were a few I reread.

I confess I didn't enjoy it as much as Motorin Along!. One reason is because I enjoy amusing stories more than sentimental ones. Sure, this book had its share of funny stories, but there were more of the inspirational, this-is-how-we-got-through-the-Depression stories. I'm one to laugh aloud at things, but not one to cry about other things. Also, since this book was focused on the Depression in general, there were many mentions of FDR and his *great* government programs. I understand people loved FDR--and still do--but I still sighed reading about the praises of the CCC, WPA, etc. It was all just more expansion of the government, but no one really cared; they just wanted help. (Which, I suppose, is understandable) But even these mentions weren't enough to take away a star; since this book was mainly for research purposes (that's what I can tell myself, anyway) it was good to read about the different aspects of different people's lives.

But the research aspect of it! So good, so sad, but so enriching. The dust storms were especially heartbreaking, but the attitudes of the people are just plain encouraging. The parents did their best, and persevered. Many times the children didn't realize they were poor (one story said, "Didn't everyone experience grit in their food?") The stories mentioned mundane details, not-so-mundane details, and general overviews of the time. The many photos also included are amazing, as well! So many lives of country families, just like my great-grandmother and her life.

My favorite story by far was one called "I Like the Depression". Not all stories mention their Christian faith, but this one did. The writer explained how, because of the Great Depression, he started living a better life; he went to church on Sundays instead of pursuing secular entertainment. He saved his marriage by renewing his failing relationship with his wife. It was really touching, and shows that good came out of these hard times.

Most of the book stressed that money wasn't everything; entertainment could be cheap. Clothes could be cheap. Christmas could be cheap. Transportation could be cheap. Yet that, somehow, seemed to make many lives richer. Funny how that worked.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting and inspiring read. Loved all the stories and memories of the depression and how families were thrifty and remained positive. I even learned a few tips for my own frugal journey.

[fpk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful book to read. It is a compilation of stories, sent in by readers of Reminisce Magazine, who've lived through The Great Depression. All of the stories were encouraging and positive, something one doesn't usually encounter when reading about that time period. There were reminiscences of Christmas, weddings, cars, family gatherings, jobs and job losses and bread lines, to name a few. Many recounted how they made use of rags and old things to provide gifts to others, how they grew food and shared it with neighbors and how some of them were down to their last dime when they heard a knock at the door from someone who'd brought bags of supplies. Times were very hard back then, when people had to fashion their clothing from chicken feed sacks, and they had to 'make do' but the common theme throughout was thrift and sharing with others. I found this to be very challenging and encouraging, and it makes me want to hear more of these stories... how people do more than just survive in times of great trial and need, but find joy and peace.

[Torrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminds me of the kind of nonfiction book I would find in my childhood elementary school library---what I would have deemed pretty "dry" reading back in the day. However, in the years since, I've developed an intense interest in the Great Depression, and this book was pretty fascinating to me now. I loved all the stories of thrift and resourcefulness and grit, and I pored over the black and white photographs of a bygone era. This kind of book won't be for everyone, but I loved how every time I picked it up, I felt inspired to be much less wasteful, to use up what we had, to look for ways to have fun and make do without spending money, and, most important, to keep my eye on what's really most important in life (which, obviously, has nothing to do with money at all).

[Fran Severn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A digest-style book with brief vignettes and recollections of people who lived through the Depression. A common theme is that many of them were already living in communities without a lot of luxuries -- this was before the time of conspicuous consumption and instant gratification -- so when times got "hard" they often did not notice.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published in ( I think) 1992 when there were still quite a few people who remembered what it was like to grow up during the Depression of the 1930s. Multiple people sent in stories of their lives of that time, and the book is arranged by chapters on different subjects. I enjoyed it so much that I will look for other books by this publisher in a similar format.

[Anthony Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Depression was a terrible time, but it warms the heart to see how people can overcome adversity in various practical and creative ways during such a trial. It's wonderful to read of those stories where people who had an advantage helped those in need. There are lessons to be learned here.

[Dick Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful compilation of stories from the magazine Reminisce about life in the 1930s. It tends to present the lighter side of that time but that was it's purpose. It does inspire and make one grateful.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories and snippets from real people who lived through the Great Depression. I was afraid it would be depressing but it turned out to be inspiring.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about how people coped during these difficult times. Very glad I read it.

[Clay Dollar]

Great first hand accounts of life during the depression.

[Stacey King · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pictorial account of the great depression.

[Mary Stoetzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in a compilation of stories handed down for generations. I try and remember how my grandparents and parents lived during that time.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lump in my throat for most of this book, which culminated in a faceful of tears by the end! Sweet stories of hard work, kindness and generosity. Truly inspiring.

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly appreciated this step back into the past.

[Janet R. Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had talked to my parents and grandparents about the depression and got their stories too. Very interesting.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have stories of the Depression from my mother speaking about her mother, but it was mostly to explain why she keeps things -- this book gives so many real-life examples of people and families even thriving on a spiritual level, not being predominately negative. This book is set up like newspaper articles, fascinatingly of good news in the midst of hard times.

This book helped me see what "make do" means. It is a positive ability to find solutions, make it work.

It speaks of appreciating a bread and milk supper and remembering being around family. This book shows it was more than privation; it was a time when many opened up and found many on the journey who helped! I looked at how I can find all I have rather than consider what I do not have.

It speaks of fresh food "the good earth providing", homemade fun, making gifts, so many things to help me see a different way of inter-relating with food, things, people, work.

So many photos to just absorb what it was like.

I recommend this as a positive look at a Hard Time.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal anecdotes of the Great Depression in the United States. Includes people who lost their life savings, their jobs, their homes. . . though generally from the children's point of view, who were shielded from the full extent by their parents. Food, clothes, transportation, etc. Down to children who warned that Santa Claus was bringing more to the extremely needy and so couldn't bring them as much.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anthology of true stories of Americans surviving the Great Depression. An interesting read, but the emphasis is on how happy everyone was with no job, little food and little money. I doubt that most people who came through this period were quite so happy. It might be fun to try a few of the recipes included.

[Kiirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the type of book that brings you back to your senses when you are feeling unfulfilled. Reading about the hardships these people went through makes me more grateful for what I have, and helps me feel content in my standard of living. I loved the format of the book and I loved that every story is a true story told by the person who experienced it. Amazing!

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the Depression era and the pictures are amazing. I especially related to the feed sack dresses as I wore a few myself in the 40's.

[Cws]

RefYA1

[Cassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic stories from the Great Depression

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning about other people and their lives. This book tells you about the Great Depression through people telling their own stories and memories. Great pictures and wonderful lessons.

[Stephanie Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book of true stories of people who lived through the Depression. What great attitudes they had and what amazing examples they were of knowing that happiness doesn't come from money.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many pictures, personal accounts and even recipes. Since everyone's experience from the Depression was different, I enjoyed the scrapbook like entries and life experiences. Very readable.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book aboutb life during the great depression. Very sweet :)