How 1954 Changed History

by Michael Flamm

Every year has its share of notable events, but some years seem to capture the essence of a decade in a handful of months. The year 1954 is one such year. It began in January with a celebrity marriage heard round the world and then progressed through a series of major political, social, and cultural milestones that would echo through the next several decades.

The years following World War II were a time of increased wealth and confidence, years that saw the rise of a solid, increasingly powerful middle class in America. With rising wages, major developments in consumer goods and entertainment, increasing opportunities for housing and education, amazing medical breakthroughs, the spread of interstate highways - it was a decade of optimism for many after the horrors of depression and war. But the 1950s were also years of increasing Cold War paranoia and unrest among the disenfranchised Americans that were not experiencing the same freedom and prosperity as their fellow citizens.

With the 10 lectures of How 1954 Changed History, you will travel back to a pivotal year in a decade that is often viewed in terms of the black-and-white simplicity of cheerful mid-century sitcoms. However, the issues of the decade were actually as vibrant and contradictory as any other period in American history. Professor Michael Flamm will take you through the battle against polio, the Red Scare that gripped the nation, the domestic impact of foreign conflicts, and the groundbreaking case of Brown v. Board of Education. As you look at these events and much more, you will see how the year 1954 showcases both some of the best and some of the worst times of 20th-century America.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Historical, Politics

Audiobook

Reviews

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some years seem to collect monumental events, and in this fascinating Great Courses book, Michael Flamm explores some truly world-shaking ones that occurred in 1954. This is the year of the Eisenhower presidency that the Supreme Court ruled unanimously to end de jure racial segregation in American schools in Brown v. Board of Education. It also saw a polio vaccine introduced and the birth of rock and roll. The French lost the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in modern day Vietnam setting in motion circumstances that would lead America to become militarily involved in that country. At the same time, Eisenhower decided to overthrow democracy in Guatemala under the dubious argument that this would somehow protect democracy in the United States. It was also the year that Joseph McCarthy fell, while at the same time, the U.S. moved to include the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, and “In God We Trust” became the national motto, also as part of the anti-communist positioning of the country. Overall, it’s a very interesting snapshot of the U.S. in the middle of the twentieth century.

If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.

[Laura Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is truly amazing that so many path-altering American events occurred in this one year.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some chapters were stronger than others, but overall, this was a very interesting audiobook.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good five-hour audio download, excellent for listening to while cooking (as I did) or while driving long distances.

This lecture series is, I believe, a product of a recent alliance between Audible and the company which was formerly known as The Great Courses. Unlike the older Great Courses that I have listened to, each lecture in this set of ten does NOT begin and end with canned applause and baroque music. Instead, there is no applause and music that might have been composed by Buddy Holly in a mellow mood. I think it's an improvement as the traditional applause plus baroque tended to be somewhat loud after the lecture, esp. if you have turned the volume up so as to hear it over the sounds made while banging about the kitchen.

The most interesting lecture to me was Chapter 7, about US-led political skullduggery in Guatamala, as it is the topic I knew the least about.

The lecturer believes in some apparently controversial ideas, like: racism is shameful, society-wide cooperation to protect the most vulnerable through vaccination is worthwhile, empty expressions of pious patriotism are at best a waste of time, and Joseph McCarthy was hypocrite and a nincompoop.

If opinions of this nature hurt your feelings, feel free to leave a one-star review suggesting that people boycott the expression of opinions which do not match your own.

[George Crowder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was born in 1955, so this brief audiobook touched on a number of topics that I knew something about, but not enough: the army/McCarthy hearings that led to the downfall of the red-baiting senator; the successful development and implementation of a vaccine against polio; the rivalry between Oppenheimer and Teller; the military intervention in Guatemala; the French defeat in Indochina; Brown vs. Board of Education; religious revivalism that led to the insertion of God into the pledge of allegiance and the face of our currency. Above all, it seemed to be an era of fear regarding the Soviet Union, China, and communism in general. Nearly 70 years later, most of that fear would seem to have been unwarranted, yet I continue to hear politicians derided as communists or socialists for advocating any form of a social safety net. The fifties are still with us.

[BJ Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't actually read this but rather listened to it on Audible. Honestly, I don't remember ordering it but it was free with subscription, I didn't waste a "credit." I checked. Anyways, this is one of the "Great Courses" and is a series of lectures on the key events of the year 1954 as seen through a Western WASP bias. The lectures begin and end with Joe Dimaggio and Marilyn Monroe's marriage & divorce and covers big things like Guatemala, the French Indochina war, the introduction of the polio vaccine, and Brown vs BOE as well as silly things like the aforementioned JD&MM marriage, the rise of Elvis, "Rock Around the Clock," and Brando starring in On the Waterfront after director Kazan is shunned by Hollywood for the communists in the industry.

In all, it was a decent five hour packaging of history and a good listen while my mind was really focused on playing Civilization and on the fact that I am leaving the Philippines for Ukraine in a couple days with pretty much nothing left to do until I get on that plane except finish packing my carryon and cleaning out my apt.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a history course based on events that began in 1954 such as the rise of Elvis, the destruction of Guatemala, forced bussing, Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb (That is the Bikini Atol), the beginning of late night television with Steve Allen and more. I liked it generally, but at times it didn't seem fair. That could be because this is a short course and it is difficult to provide much context with such a broad range of historical events. Nevertheless, remember that you are trusting the interpretation of the professor. I never felt fully trusting of the professor for some reason. Your mileage may vary.

I doubt I will listen to this audio course again.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Great Courses audiobook that presents 10 events in 1954 that "changed history."
Given the fact that history generally "changes" slowly over a period of time the title is overstated and the author's efforts to compress events into the framework of 1954 or somewhat exaggerated. Nevertheless, this is an interesting course and worth the time to listen. Flamm provides fascinating descriptions of key events such as the emergence of a vaccine for polio and or rock-n-roll and the addition of "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. The listener comes away with an appreciation for a period in American history about which he or she might not be well-informed.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really should have learned by now that any of the new Great Courses titles are not lectures. But worse, titles like this are 100% American centric. I listened to this because I'm doing a lot of genealogy research on my family in England. A title such as 'How 1954 changed history' suggests a year that was significant around the world. But no, only in America. So I learned nothing about what my family experienced in 1954 and only what was happening politically and socially in the USA.

[Chad Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting look at a year in which a lot was happening - pop culture, the polio vaccine, weaponry, the "red scare", the rise of television, Vietnam, and more. The author kept me engaged, going over many pivotal events of the era and the individuals involved, even if not all of them stuck strictly inside one specific year.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting history. Enjoyed how the author linked certain events in a linear fashion with a relatively small timeframe. Can't wait for someone to do 2020 or 2021 - my brain will be fried, no doubt.

[Kate Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to most of this, I think I skipped 2 chapters. I wish context had of been fleshed out more. They did pick things that people still have awareness of today but a lot of it just read like a textbook rather than explaining- perhaps using comparative/analogous events would have helped.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to take a deep dive into a single year in history. 1954 is 69 years in the past. The affects of this year has diminished over time, but it was still interesting for a person who likes history.

[George · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fascinating history ruined by constant progressive hectoring. Why do they have to ruin everything? Avoid this guy.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot happened in 1954.

[Bruce Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun facts about 1954, some trivial, some important.

[Jonas Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these history snippets that Audible puts out. Let's you stay grounded to the ideas of how much things have changed and some pivotal moments that made it happen.

[Kate Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting listen. It provides a lot of context for why things are the way they are now in modern society based on the happenings of 1954.

[Nick Harriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable series of lectures on the events of 1954, a year that was remarkably pivotal in post-war American history.