Centenarians: The Story of the 20th Century by the Americans Who Lived It [Hardcover]

Bernard Edelman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 1999

An oral history of the twentieth century in America.

By 1990, over 37,000 Americans had lived to the age of one hundred. Their lives spanned world wars, the Depression, the rise and demise of the great Red Menace, and the emergence of the United States as a world power.

Through interviews with centenarians across the country, Bernard Edelman draws a dazzling portrait of Americans in the twentieth century, evoking the work ethic of rural farms, the nation's awe at inventions such as the automobile, and the collective despair at the onset of world war. These recollections are a treasure of the century's social history. The young immigrant survivor who can still smell the smoke of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. The rookie pitcher who struck out the first batter he ever faced in the big leagues: Ty Cobb. The dashing artillery officer who won a Silver Star in the Great War. The officer in the Quartermaster Corps who witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The motorcycle racer who barnstormed the nation, setting records that will never be broken. The feisty woman who led a walkout at the premiere of Gone With the Wind. The man who invented Pampers.

Their memories serve as a timeless reminder of life in twentieth-century America.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Joining Harold Evans's The American Century and Peter Jennings's The Century on the centennial stock-taking shelf, this history takes the form of 71 interviews with people 100 years old or older. The portrait of America it paints is basically flattering, evoking the enterprise, gumption, tolerance and diversity that have made the U.S. a crucible of progress. In chapters on topics such as "Hearth and Home" and "The Red Menace," respondents offer plainspoken reminiscences on homesteading, Prohibition, the Great Depression, two world wars, the advent of telephones (and automobiles and television), women's suffrage (and the entry of women into the workplace), McCarthyism and civil rights. Photojournalist Edelman, who edited Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam, profiles an eclectic bunch of old-timers, from Victor Mills, the inventor of Pampers, to Auschwitz survivor Sari Muller. Many bear valuable witness to historic events. Rose Freedman, who was an 18-year-old Manhattan seamstress in 1911, recalls her narrow escape from the notorious Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire, which killed 146 women. Others offer priceless nuggets of Americana, like Chester Hoff, who, as a 20-year-old rookie pitcher, coolly struck out his first major league hitter, a fellow by the name of Ty Cobb. This tapestry of American identity closes on an upbeat note, with sections distilling the respondents' "Secrets of Longevity" and "Wisdom for the Ages" ("Behave yourself, but flirt whenever you get the chance"). Photos.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Photojournalist Edelman (Dear America: Letters from Vietnam, Pocket, 1988. reprint) has focused on perhaps this country's smallest minority: the approximately 62,000 centenarians whose lives have spanned two world wars, the Great Depression, and the rise and collapse of communism. The book is based on the recollections of 90 interviewees and is loosely organized according to the major stages of their lives. A tiny sample of the hundreds of recollections includes a Montana boy's afternoon with Buffalo Bill Cody, a doughboy's chat with President Woodrow Wilson during the 1919 Paris Peace Conference at Versailles, and an immigrant's struggle with the naturalization process in New York City. Edelman's seniors agree on the secret of longevity: Don't worry, don't hate, maintain a positive attitude, and keep busy. This is a unique contribution to our social history but not an easy read. The welter of information contained in these profiles is daunting, and its presentation in uneven snippets can be repetitive. Recommended for public and academic libraries. (Illustrations not seen.)?John Carver Edwards, Univ. of Georgia Libs., Athens
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; First Edition edition (February 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374176787
• ISBN-13: 978-0374176785
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,181,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beauiful book, filled with heart and insight, May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Centenarians: The Story of the 20th Century by the Americans Who Lived It (Hardcover)

This simply is an outstanding book!!! It offers keen insight into what it has been like to live in the 20th-century. It is similar to Edelman's other book, DEAR AMERICA, LETTERS FROM VIETNAM, in that it has been written and edited with a rare intelligence. It is a must for anyone at all interested in American history.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History to hold on to forever!, March 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Centenarians: The Story of the 20th Century by the Americans Who Lived It (Hardcover)

A truly first hand look at the times and lives of the immigrants/citizens that helped shape our country.

As we come upon the millenium, we must hold on to our roots which the centarians so dearly fought for, worked for and died for.

This is a true reflection of the personal struggles that so many families faced and yet survived!

I was comforted with warmth, saddened by some losses but fortunate enough to come from immigrants that risked their lives, not only in war, but the struggle to enter our free world.

I would like to see this book in our schools as part of the history curriculum Truly wonderful reading.

Bless them all!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Gem, July 19, 2006

By 

Tracy Choma "Tracy Choma Geagan" (Rocky River, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Centenarians: The Story of the 20th Century by the Americans Who Lived It (Hardcover)

I've had the chance to read several books on this topic and in my opinion, Centenarians: The Story of the 20th Century by the Americans Who Lived It, is the best book out there that covers the subject of Centenarians. Edelman has laid out this book so chapters are further broken down into subsections that cover key moments in the featured Centenarians lives. An example of this would be under the heading of The Good Old Days, it is further broken down into First memories, Fun and Games, Love and Marriage, etc... The personal recollections come from approximately 70 Centenarians who share their memories on the different subjects throughout the book. The ancedotes are short and they are followed by the name of the Centenarian. I love the personal pictures that are included that show these people in their youth. You have a variety of Centenarians who came from many different backgrounds, former slaves, immigrants, those who were wealthy, and others who weren't. Edelman also included a section called "Centenographies" at the end of the book that allows you to read a brief bio on the featured Centenarians who shared their stories along with a current picture. It really is a nice way to end the book since you will feel a personal connection with these people after reading their stories. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in this particular subject or who just simply loves American history.