A Very Different Age: Americans of the Progressive Era

by Steven J. Diner

The early twentieth century was a time of technological revolution in the United States. New inventions and corporations were transforming the economic landscape, bringing a stunning array of consumer goods, millions of additional jobs, and ever more wealth. Steven J. Diner draws on the rich scholarship of recent social history to show how these changes affected Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life, and in doing so offers a striking new interpretation of a crucial epoch in our history.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Tam May · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I picked up this book mostly for research since I'm writing a historical mystery series that takes place during the Progressive Era. This book is a very comprehensive guide to many of the main points of that era, including social, agricultural, and political movements at that time. The book is a bit dry, as it reads like a textbook, but it's a great starter for anyone interested in a more sweeping view of the Progressive Era in America.

[Eric_W · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the turn of the century, America was undergoing a profound evolution. People were inundated by industrial products that would save them time and energy. Railroads whisked travelers to their destinations at sixty miles per hour. By 1920 there would be eight million automobiles. Fifteen years earlier, there had been barely eight thousand. Prosperity was ubiquitous, yet a malaise was creeping through the workforce as the disparity between rich and poor grew ever greater, and the individual decried a perceived loss of individual freedom and less control over his life. Self-employment became less common as more and more people worked for larger and larger corporations. The new industrialization weakened traditional bonds. Farmers were now a minority in 1920. Class conflict became a reality. Immigration brought a wealth of new ideas that threatened the status quo. The separation between gender roles began to break down, and soon women demanded the right to vote. Corrupt government was tolerated less, as the difference between what government said it ought to be and what it was became apparent. Political corruption was universal; bosses controlled all the elements of political structure, contributing to the sense of loss of control. Diner notices parallels between today and the early twentieth century.

Then, as now, individuals were concerned about the enormous wealth and power vested in the hands of a few through vertical and horizontal integration of companies. The gulf between rich and poor was expanding, and the individual developed a sense of helplessness. Then, however, there was more trust in the ability of government to control and create a more equitable environment. They were less cynical. The myth of laissez-faire as a solution for all was beginning to crumble. Corporations suffered from ruinous competition and combined to protect themselves by eliminating competitors. The general opinion of many was that government might re-empower citizens. Woodrow Wilson once remarked (1912) that men no longer worked for themselves but were now employees. As companies grew larger, the need for managerial expertise and the development of systems became crucial to the success of corporations. In the past, the foreman had accrued enormous managerial power: he hired and fired, determined pay scales — often arbitrarily — and assigned work loads. No longer.

Engineers initiated time clocks and pay rates and even allocated the tools that were to be used for each job. Frederick Taylor's Principles of Scientific Management became the Bible of the new managerial class. Workers lost all autonomy. Taylor showed how higher productivity and a more uniform product could bring increased wages, but his theories were often bitterly opposed. Many managers complained, too, as their jobs became more regimented. A form of welfare capitalism was tried by some firms to create a stable work force and to prevent "radicalism." They offered day care, libraries, benefits, and higher wages for their employees (see Hickam’s description of Coalwood in Rocket Boys for an example).

Better postal service was devastating to local stores (shades of e-shopping?). It had been the practice for farmers to come into town and pick up mail at the general store. Now they could order through the mail and have purchases delivered directly to them. In some communities, Sears’ and Wards’ catalogs were burned publicly.

Sorry for the somewhat staccato nature of this review; it mirrors the book. Nevertheless, given my penchant for assimilating lots of facts related to cultural change, this book was great.

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid look at the Progressive Era; much more detail than a standard history overview will have. Not a lot new to say, but if you've never looked beyond the headlines, this is a good look at how progressive the progressive really were and especially how WWI really warped the trends before it. I'd have liked more on the power of government propaganda and suppression of political and human rights affected the rest of the century. Good points about how a lot of reformist work was class-based and missed the input of the affected parties and how unintended consequences abound even to today.

[A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I DNF'd this because it was not worth reading. It was an entire full-length book with content less academic than a 5th grade social studies textbook (and I would know at this point). He made a lot of claims that run counter to present academic takes without presenting sources or evidence, and it was just a total waste of time. Also, this was not "diversity" in the Progressive Era. Farmers are not "diversity."

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy is a used text book, and I'm actually enjoying it for edifying entertainment! Well written and informative. There are many useful parallels one can draw between the era described and our own modern era. History truly repeats itself.

[Alison Panetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOO RELEVANT

Adapting to giant sweeping societal changes will never be easy. It was really fascinating to see the parallels between the Progressive Era and our current era of wild technological advancements.

Truly a fascinating read, perfect for chipping away at on lunch breaks or during a commute.

[Lettie Laferriere · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this for a class at WSU.

[Robert Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, but not groundbreaking.