The American Century, Volume II

by Harold Evans, Kevin Baker (Contribution by), Gail Buckland (Contribution by)

The winds began to blow in the spring and summer of 1929. nobody took much notice. The stock market soared from peak to peak, and President Hoover foresaw a final triumph over poverty. But two storms, one environmental, one financial, were about to break over America -- with horrific consequences.

This program traces the devastation of the Dust Bowl, the migration of the Okies, the Great Depression, the advent of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his New Deal, and the subsequent period of recovery, celebrated in the song "Happy Days are Here Again." But the happiness would not last. Across the Atlantic, other storm clouds were gathering, and as American democracy was flourishing, German democracy was being crushed under the rule of the new chancellor of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler.

Again, America attempted to follow a course of isolation, separate from "Europe's war." Gut that war became ours with a vengeance on December 7, 1941, with the attack on Pearl Harbor. On that day of infamy, America was catapulted into a conflict that would determine the future course of civilization -- a conflict that finally ended with the sun-bright flare of a bomb called Little Boy.

Harold Evans, picture researcher Gail Buckland, and historical researcher Kevin Baker worked diligently to ensure accuracy throughout this landmark work. This audio program intrigues and involves, vividly bringing to life the power and passion of the American century, a century like no other.

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Harold Evans is an English-born journalist and writer who was editor of the Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981. A graduate of Durham University, he has written a number of bestselling histories. He followed the late Alistair Cooke in commentaries on America for the BBC. An American citizen since 1993, he has held positions as editor-in-chief of the Atlantic Monthly Press, founding editor of the prize-winning Conde Nast Traveler; editorial director of the Atlantic and US News and the New York Daily News; and president and publisher of Random House. He holds the British Press Awards' Gold Award for Lifetime Achievement of Journalists. In 2001 British journalists voted him the all-time greatest British newspaper editor, and in 2004 he was knighted. Since 2011, he has been editor-at-large for Reuters.