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Writer's Guides to Everyday Life
The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life from Prohibition Through World War II
Writers will save hours of valuable research time and bring a richness and historical accuracy to their work as they reference the slice-of-life facts depicted for each of these major time periods. Each book contains descriptions of the period's food and clothes; customs and slang; occupations, common religious and political practices; and other historical details.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 6, 2015
While I really enjoyed the guide to slang (although I could have done without the curse words that were thrown in), and a listing of many of the radio programs that people listened to, most of the rest of the information was next to useless.
This historical events were skimmed over. There was a chapter on Prohibition, a chapter on the depression, and one on World War II, each fairly brief. Even though the chapters where not that long, most of the historical data was clouded by the authors own personal opinion of the events and times. He complained about Hoover not giving government aid, and talked about how stupid it was to ban alcoholic beverages. While he ma have some valid points, this wasn't what I was looking for.
An okay book, but definitely not the amazing source book it claims to be.
This historical events were skimmed over. There was a chapter on Prohibition, a chapter on the depression, and one on World War II, each fairly brief. Even though the chapters where not that long, most of the historical data was clouded by the authors own personal opinion of the events and times. He complained about Hoover not giving government aid, and talked about how stupid it was to ban alcoholic beverages. While he ma have some valid points, this wasn't what I was looking for.
An okay book, but definitely not the amazing source book it claims to be.
March 14, 2011
I checked this book out from the library as part of doing research for my Nanowrimo novel, set in 1919. As I understood it, Prohibition began in 1919, so I figured this would at least have some facts about everyday life I could use.
Unfortunately this didn't have much geared toward the everyday facts I needed for my story. This was directed more toward people writing novels about the "Roaring Twenties" and 1930s hard-boiled detective stories. The lists of slang used was stuff like "cat's pajamas" and "gumshoe." The clothing fashions were mostly of the flappers and how this transformed into the looks of the 1940s.
Things I wanted to know: did the average person in 1919 own a car, or did most people still get around by horse and carriage? When were refrigerators invented and how common was their usage in 1919? When someone used a telephone in 1919, how did they work (did they ask for the operator, did they have to dial at all?)? What were typical funeral practices? What were some of the more hardcore drugs of choice - were opium and absinthe still used? Some information about World War I's impact on this time period would have been useful as well. None of these questions were answered by this book. I wish there was a book about the time period between 1900 and 1920 to cover those years between the Victorian era and Prohibition.
However, this is a great series of books for writers of historical fiction, as many questions would be answered... sometimes I am far too specific and uncommon in my historical settings (I am currently working on a historical fiction set in 1606 Hungary, and there is even less information available for that!).
Unfortunately this didn't have much geared toward the everyday facts I needed for my story. This was directed more toward people writing novels about the "Roaring Twenties" and 1930s hard-boiled detective stories. The lists of slang used was stuff like "cat's pajamas" and "gumshoe." The clothing fashions were mostly of the flappers and how this transformed into the looks of the 1940s.
Things I wanted to know: did the average person in 1919 own a car, or did most people still get around by horse and carriage? When were refrigerators invented and how common was their usage in 1919? When someone used a telephone in 1919, how did they work (did they ask for the operator, did they have to dial at all?)? What were typical funeral practices? What were some of the more hardcore drugs of choice - were opium and absinthe still used? Some information about World War I's impact on this time period would have been useful as well. None of these questions were answered by this book. I wish there was a book about the time period between 1900 and 1920 to cover those years between the Victorian era and Prohibition.
However, this is a great series of books for writers of historical fiction, as many questions would be answered... sometimes I am far too specific and uncommon in my historical settings (I am currently working on a historical fiction set in 1606 Hungary, and there is even less information available for that!).
November 2, 2025
It's almost entirely just slang terms, 70% of which date after the 1920s, and some very paltry definitions of things like 'bobbed hair'. Nothing about what they ate, what kind of radio would have been common in a house in the 1920s vs 1940s, leisure, class differences, urban vs rural, education, etc. Nothing of use if you actually wanted to write anything in this time period. I'm also not sure why they thought it was a good idea to condense several extremely distinct time periods into one book, and then only end up giving each of those time periods about 4 pages each while everything else is just telling us what 'cats meow' meant or listing random radio shows. Save yourself money and don't buy this book, check it out from a library.
September 6, 2018
This is a good book to get you started in writing about the era. This is the book you go to as a starting place to research stuff. Also, it is really just in dictionary format, so if you don't know what you're looking for, you will have some trouble finding info. But it does have quite a bit of useful information.
November 22, 2023
A quick, easy to browse reference for general highlights.
But after all the digging I've done through newspapers, archives, files, out-of-print books, etc., this book was a bit of a disappointment. Not substantial, but it could be helpful to some.
But after all the digging I've done through newspapers, archives, files, out-of-print books, etc., this book was a bit of a disappointment. Not substantial, but it could be helpful to some.
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October 17, 2023Great resource for historical fiction research.
June 22, 2014
This is an okay reference book for the time period. However, most of the information I found I could find elsewhere. When I read "everyday life," I expected to read about everyday life, i.e. what they did when they got up in the morning, what they ate for breakfast, popular hobbies, the way to answer the telephone (not to mention the actual placing of a call), and so on.
Still, I did acquire information I didn't have yet, and for that, I'm grateful. Plus, it's an entertaining read, something I didn't expect.
That said, my favorite part was the jokes about the Model T Ford.
Still, I did acquire information I didn't have yet, and for that, I'm grateful. Plus, it's an entertaining read, something I didn't expect.
That said, my favorite part was the jokes about the Model T Ford.
March 29, 2016
I really need to buy myself a copy of this book, so I can leave the library's copy for someone else. This series of books is meant to help authors get their facts right in historical novels or non-fiction. Even though I'm not a writer I love reading about History and these are the books I go to if I need information on a word or phrase I didn't understand in the book I'm reading. I also read them just to read them, they're great books.
April 23, 2012
This has been a very excellent and easy-to-use book of reference to the time period. It's very simple, and as the title says, everyday things such as slang and military jargon for the span of about twenty to thirty years.
Very good for any writer who is looking for some quick and useful for their work.
Very good for any writer who is looking for some quick and useful for their work.
June 25, 2008
Definitely worth having if you're writing a book set during this time period. Be aware, though, that it's not a thrilling read; it's more like a set of dictionaries with blurbs about the slang, cars, radio shows, and other artifacts of the era.
October 5, 2013
Always find myself coming back to this book when I need a quick glimpse at slang and other quick reference material I forget. Too bad it's out of print. It's a handy book to have if this is an era that interests you.
February 9, 2011
An excellent source for, as the title implies, Everyday Life From Prohibition Through World War II. It really is quite a brilliant little book. Well researched and well written.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews