Redeeming the Time: A People's History of the 1920s and The New Deal

A People's History #8

by Page Smith

Covers the period from 1922 to 1941, in a narrative account that highlights the dramatic events and people of the period

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

1205 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1986

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Charles Page Smith, who was known by his middle name, was a U.S. historian, professor, author, and newspaper columnist.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Smith graduated with a B.A. degree from Dartmouth College in 1940. He then worked at Camp William James, a center for youth leadership training opened in 1940 by Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy, a Dartmouth College professor, as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Smith was awarded a Purple Heart for his service as a company commander of the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army during World War II. (wikipedia)

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this randomly from the library, not realizing that it was the eighth and final volume of a series; that being the case, I still absolutely loved it. Smith gives an expansive recounting of the 20's up until America's involvement in WWII, through the dual lenses of the conflict between capital and labor, and the struggle of black Americans to fight for their voice and rights during this period. I was surprised to find so many parallels between this period and our own; a strong isolationist/populist movement, an economic recession, and the fear of those in power (white industrialists) that the oppressed would take as much as possible from them (spoiler, they did, in the victories of the labor unions).

Smith divides the two major consciousnesses of America into Classical-Christian and Secular-Democratic, which makes a lot of sense to me. I'm excited to read the first seven volumes of this work, and to see his take on the beginning of the country, as well as the Civil War.

[Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history of the period following the Progressive era.

Not quite as good as America Enters The World, much more focus on authors, poets, etc... rather then regular people, but very interesting none-the-less.

I really enjoy this series by Page. I've ordered the first 2 volumes, about the revolution, and looking forward to reading them.

I like that it covers several aspects of life and not just political/government focused, which most US history books tend to do. And the writing is most often interesting without getting bogged down in recitation of facts, he generally brings the story to life.