ePub The Greatest Generation Grows Up: American Childhood in the 1930s (American Childhoods Series) by Kriste Lindenmeyer in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A disappointmentBy d edwardsI thought this would be a book of anecdotes by people who grew up during the Depression and how they and their families made do.Instead; it mainly discusses government programs enacted to deal with youth problems like education; etc. I read about 40% of the book and stopped.A much better choice on the topic is "Riding the Rails" about teenagers on the move during the Depression by Errol Lincoln Uys.Here you'll find personal accounts of life on the (rail) roads; some stories are just amazing. But; there is an underlying sense of hope-"if I can make through today; tomorrow will be better." I read it twice. It was also made into an excellent documentary available on Netflix. etc.1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. ...By paul danielsSounds like that the author leans strongly to Socialism and writing her opinions rather than reality. I hadto put it down.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Kids in the 30's --> The men women of warBy Eric HobartKriste Lindenmeyer has done us a wonderful favor by giving us a portrait of childhood in 1930's America. She looks at many different facets of youth during these turbulent years including child labor; education; consumerism; and how the New Deal affected these youngsters.Lindenmeyer's book is well written and is an enjoyable read. Her prose is clear her arguments consise and well thought out. After reading this book; it is easy to see why the decade of the 30's changed childhood forever in America. Before this ten year span; education was of secondary importance; and children were not considered consumers. During the 30's; education became of prime importance to so many; youngsters were seen as consumers that could spark economic growth; and children were removed from the most oppressive labor conditions (i.e. manufacturing mining).The author's concluding chapter on the New Deal really struck me as important - it helped me to see where the FDR administration really did try to help the youth of America in addition to the adults who were so negatively impacted by the Great Depression. Formation of the EDC (Emergency Day Centers) for care of toddlers; the NYA (National Youth Administration) to promote education by providing stipends for work; and the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) with its abolition of child labor in most industries were all examples of positive impacts made by the New Deal for America's youth.She borrows Tom Brokaw's phrase "The Greatest Generation" in describing these youngsters; because most men that went off to war in the 1940's were reared during this economic crisis. A very apt title for very important book.