The First Measured Century : An Illustrated Guide to Trends in America, 1900-2000 [Paperback]

Theodore Caplow (Author), Louis Hicks (Author), Ben J. Wattenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 20, 2000

This invaluable reference reveals surprising trends that define twentieth-century America.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

More than 100 years ago, U.S. President James Garfield predicted that the compilation of detailed statistics would ultimately provide us with a new way to view history. In the 1900s, America did indeed live up Garfield's prophesy by studiously measuring everything from population growth and occupational inclination to crime trends and food fads. The First Measured Century, produced in conjunction with a PBS special of the same name, expertly catalogs and analyzes the "numerical thinking" that has subsequently taken place.

Authors Theodore Caplow, Louis Hicks, and TV host Ben Wattenberg are all accomplished social scientists who have collectively produced dozens of books, articles, and television shows on the trends these statistics amplify. Here, they compile statistics derived from government sources and independent polling data into sections on work, education, family, religion, money, politics, business, and more. Each is further divided into single-page essays that begin with one overarching theme ("The concentration of working women in a few occupations diminished as they found employment throughout the economy") and conclude with charts and graphs that underscore the point (in this case, precisely how women left farming, domestic, and factory work from 1900 through 1998 for clerical and sales jobs, teaching, nursing, and other professional occupations). All in all, a highly informative--and entertaining--read. --Howard Rothman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

In The First Measured Century: An Illustrated Guide to Trends in America, 1900-2000, sociologists Theodore Caplow and Louis Hicks and journalist Ben J. Wattenberg present cogent information on measurable aspects of modern life (population, health, work, religion, money, etc.) in an easy-to-read and engaging format featuring text accompanied by graphic illustrations. Readers will not be surprised to find out that Americans are healthier today than they were at the beginning of the century, but they may be surprisedAand reassuredAto learn that parents spend more time with their children now than they did 100 years ago. A three-hour PBS documentary program to air on December 20 will be sure to boost interest in and sales of this fun, fact-filled book.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Aei Press; 1st edition (November 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844741388
• ISBN-13: 978-0844741383
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #661,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Measured Century--an Antidote to Ignorance, January 8, 2001

By 

Curt Raney (St. George Island, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Measured Century : An Illustrated Guide to Trends in America, 1900-2000 (Paperback)

The First Measured Century is a masterful compendium of facts and commentary on the 20th century seen through a vast array of statistics. The effect of the book is to smash many stereotypes about our nation and the 20th century, and to raise numerous, thoughtful questions regarding where we've been and where we're going. I enthusiastically recommend this book for anyone who really wants to know what went on in the last century. It will also make a terrific textbook for high school or college courses dealing with history, social change, social issues, and so on. You've got to get this book, and keep it close at hand for years to come if you want to be well-informed.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing, January 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The First Measured Century : An Illustrated Guide to Trends in America, 1900-2000 (Paperback)

This is the kind of book that you can open to any page, and you will find something that intrigues you. A half-hour will pass, and you'll still be reading and thinking about the the trends and the meanings of the trends illustrated in the graphs. First Measured Century is a great conversation piece and a wonderful resource for writers, teachers, historians -- anyone with an interest in our country. This book is worth the investment.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun to Read!, June 22, 2001

By 

M. Loftus - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The First Measured Century : An Illustrated Guide to Trends in America, 1900-2000 (Paperback)

This is a very fun book to read, especially if you have "conventional" opinions about things. I say this because some of the topics covered reveal surprisingly unexpected trends. This is not a serious work and is not suitable for serious research per se, but it has good foot-notes and sources so its topics could be researched further if the reader is so inclined.