American Dreams: Lost and Found [Paperback]

Studs Terkel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Here is raw material for one thousand novels in one medium-sized book!... Incomparable. Studs Terkel's done it again. -- Margaret Atwood

In American Dreams, Mr. Terkel, a superb editor as well as the ideal listener... becomes Walt Whitman. -- John Leonard

Studs Terkel has captured the melody of America. -- Nicholas Von Hoffman

Studs Terkel shows America from the inside out -- a fascinating and revelatory portrait. -- Ronald Steel

The best of Terkel's works. A stirring, hopeful book. -- Robert Sherrill, front page, New York Times Book Review

Product Description

Back in print, the book the New York Times Book Review called the Pulitzer Prize winner's best. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ted Turner, Jesse Helms, Joan Crawford, Vine Deloria, Helen and Scott Nearing. These are just some of the people Studs Terkel has persuaded to tell their version of The American Dream. In this group portrait of hopes, we see that American reality defies our stereotyped expectations. Starting with an embittered winner of the Miss U.S.A. contest who sees the con behind the dream of success, the Pulitzer Prize-winning interviewer discusses ideals and aspirations with the businessman enamoured of success, the farm kids dreaming of the city, the city boys determined to get out, the Boston Brahmin, and the KKK member. We see both the simple dreams -- owning a piece of land or running a small-town paper -- as well as the grand aspirations -- building a fourth television network, or becoming the best body builder in the world. Now back in print, this Terkel classic will surprise and edify a whole new generation of American readers.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: The New Press; Later printing edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565845455
• ISBN-13: 978-1565845459
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #279,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It opened my eyes, May 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Dreams: Lost and Found (Paperback)

A wonderful reflection of the diversity of dreams and realities of so many people. Terkel collects people from all walks of life and probes there dreams--what they are, what they were, how they've changed.

He engages them to tell there stories of success and failure, hardship and longing, understanding and transformation.

I never felt more in touch with the unique nature of America than when I was reading this book. I would recommend it to anyone.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting look at America by Americans, May 28, 2009

By	K.A.Goldberg (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Dreams: Lost and Found (Paperback)

Gritty journalist/author Studs Terkel (1912-2008) spent decades letting people tell their stories, and the result is more than a dozen solid oral histoires. This 1980 effort is one of his best, with over 100 Americans talking about their lives and that ever-elusive American Dream. Most interviewees try defining the dream, but focus more effectively on their work, successes, and (often) frustrations. Ms. USA (1973) discusses the shallowness of her title. Frank Wills describes a lack of opportunities after uncovering the Watergate break-in. Anti-nuclear activist Sam Lovejoy describes opposing new power plants in Massachusetts. Businessman Ted Turner discusses his upcoming news network (CNN), while a football lineman confesses using false anger to inspire his game. We hear from business leaders, liberal activists (a Terkel staple), the poor of Appalachia, and aged children of immigrants (who also remember their parents). Also chipping in are street-wise community workers, a 1963 Civil Rights marcher, and politicians as diverse as Detroit Mayor Coleman Young and right-wing Senator Jesse Helms (both are less embarrassing than expected).

As usual, many of Terkel's interviewees are from Chicago (plus Kentucky, Oregon, and New England) and on balance they tilt a bit leftwards with skepticism towards the establishment. Still, this is an interesting look at, about, and from ordinary Americans. Readers should also see Terkel's other top efforts, such as WORKING, THE GOOD WAR (World War II), and HARD TIMES (Great Depression).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Americana and the American Dream, July 9, 2010

By	Judah (Terre Haute In USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Dreams: Lost and Found (Paperback)

As advertised! The book consists of the pared down life story interviews of hundreds of Americans (two through five pages for most), and highlights both the hopes of younger and the bitterness of the elderly. American Dreams: Lost and Found interviews people from all walks of life and races, including civil rights activists, house wives, Miss America herself (winner in 1970), a Klansman, a coal miner, professors, unionizers, politicians, entrepreneurs, hippies, flappers, heroes, criminals, and even a few famous people like Arnold Schwarzenegger. It manages to accurately convey the intangible concept of 'American Dream,' which before reading this book, I thought would be impossible.

Be warned this isn't a book to read in one or even ten sittings; it's like reading hundreds of short stories, each covering a lifetime of experiences.