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Prosperity Road: America, 1920–1945, from Hoover to Roosevelt
A sweeping history of America during the tumultuous decades between the ends of World War I and World War II, when a mainly rural, isolationist republic was transformed into a nuclear superpower and the leader of the free world.
Through the prosperous 1920s and its culture wars to the Great Crash and Depression of the Thirties, the fits and starts of the New Deal, and then the all-consuming fight to defeat fascism in World War II, the twenty-five years from 1920 through 1945 witnessed the creation of what would be known as the American century. Two towering political figures, Herbert Hoover and Franklin D Roosevelt, dominated the politics of these years in which America underwent a breathtaking metamorphosis, with all its power and its predominance on the global stage, its increasingly imperial government, its unprecedented affluence, and its far-flung cultural influence.
Prosperity Road captures in telling detail how war and the experiences of economic boom and bust shaped America’s political expectations and its institutions. Written by acclaimed Cambridge historian Anthony J Badger, Prosperity Road is cultural, economic, and political history at its finest and most captivating.
Other books in the American History series
Ecstatic Nation by Brenda Wineapple
Rebirth of a Nation by Jackson Lears
Walking Giant by David S. Reynolds
The Age of Reagan by Sean Wilentz
Through the prosperous 1920s and its culture wars to the Great Crash and Depression of the Thirties, the fits and starts of the New Deal, and then the all-consuming fight to defeat fascism in World War II, the twenty-five years from 1920 through 1945 witnessed the creation of what would be known as the American century. Two towering political figures, Herbert Hoover and Franklin D Roosevelt, dominated the politics of these years in which America underwent a breathtaking metamorphosis, with all its power and its predominance on the global stage, its increasingly imperial government, its unprecedented affluence, and its far-flung cultural influence.
Prosperity Road captures in telling detail how war and the experiences of economic boom and bust shaped America’s political expectations and its institutions. Written by acclaimed Cambridge historian Anthony J Badger, Prosperity Road is cultural, economic, and political history at its finest and most captivating.
Other books in the American History series
Ecstatic Nation by Brenda Wineapple
Rebirth of a Nation by Jackson Lears
Walking Giant by David S. Reynolds
The Age of Reagan by Sean Wilentz
- GenresHistory
496 pages, Hardcover
Published October 13, 2026
About the author
Anthony J. Badger
24 books19 followersAnthony John "Tony" Badger is a British academic and historian. Until 2014 he was Paul Mellon Professor of American History at Cambridge University and Master of Clare College, Cambridge.
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June 15, 2026Prosperity Road: America, 1920–1945, from Hoover to Roosevelt by Anthony J. Badger presents what promises to be a sweeping and deeply analytical exploration of one of the most transformative periods in American history. Spanning the years from the post–World War I boom through the Great Depression and into the New Deal era, the book appears positioned to offer a comprehensive examination of economic, political, and social change.
What makes this work particularly compelling is its chronological and thematic scope. Covering the transition from Herbert Hoover’s presidency to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s leadership provides a natural narrative arc that captures both the collapse of one economic order and the emergence of another. This framing suggests a nuanced analysis of policy decisions, leadership styles, and their long-term consequences.
The strength of the concept lies in its focus on prosperity as both an ideal and a contested reality. The 1920s are often associated with growth and optimism, yet they also laid the groundwork for the economic vulnerabilities that led to the Great Depression. By tracing this trajectory, the book appears to examine how structural imbalances, political choices, and global factors intersected to shape national outcomes.
Another notable aspect is the emphasis on transformation during crisis. The shift from Hoover’s approach to Roosevelt’s New Deal represents more than a change in administration—it reflects a fundamental rethinking of the role of government in economic life. This suggests that the book will engage with key debates around intervention, recovery, and reform in a way that remains relevant to contemporary discussions.
There is also an expectation of scholarly depth and interpretive clarity, given the subject matter. By integrating economic history with political analysis and social context, the book is likely to provide a multidimensional perspective that appeals to both academic readers and those with a general interest in American history.
Overall, Prosperity Road stands as a substantial and potentially influential work. It is poised to engage readers seeking a deeper understanding of how a pivotal quarter-century reshaped the United States and defined the foundations of modern governance and economic policy.
What makes this work particularly compelling is its chronological and thematic scope. Covering the transition from Herbert Hoover’s presidency to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s leadership provides a natural narrative arc that captures both the collapse of one economic order and the emergence of another. This framing suggests a nuanced analysis of policy decisions, leadership styles, and their long-term consequences.
The strength of the concept lies in its focus on prosperity as both an ideal and a contested reality. The 1920s are often associated with growth and optimism, yet they also laid the groundwork for the economic vulnerabilities that led to the Great Depression. By tracing this trajectory, the book appears to examine how structural imbalances, political choices, and global factors intersected to shape national outcomes.
Another notable aspect is the emphasis on transformation during crisis. The shift from Hoover’s approach to Roosevelt’s New Deal represents more than a change in administration—it reflects a fundamental rethinking of the role of government in economic life. This suggests that the book will engage with key debates around intervention, recovery, and reform in a way that remains relevant to contemporary discussions.
There is also an expectation of scholarly depth and interpretive clarity, given the subject matter. By integrating economic history with political analysis and social context, the book is likely to provide a multidimensional perspective that appeals to both academic readers and those with a general interest in American history.
Overall, Prosperity Road stands as a substantial and potentially influential work. It is poised to engage readers seeking a deeper understanding of how a pivotal quarter-century reshaped the United States and defined the foundations of modern governance and economic policy.
October 6, 2026
This was a through but easy to read account of the years between 1920 and 1945 during which the United States grew into its position as a prosperous world power. The author focuses on two presidents whose political careers helped define the period- Hoover and FDR. The book was strongest in explaining how the politics of the New Deal shape our nation down to the present day. There was some areas that were a bit repetitive, but otherwise I would highly recommend to anyone seeking to learn about early-mid 20th century US history.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews