Wartime America: The World War II Home Front (American Ways Series) [Paperback]

John W. Jeffries (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 156663119X | ISBN-13: 978-1566631198 | Publication Date: February 1, 1998

As John Jeffries observes in his new and cogent history of America during World War II, our view of the war has been shaped by two widely accepted perspectives: as a watershed in American history, as a “Good War” of national unity, virtue, and success. Searching for the reality behind these catchphrases, Mr. Jeffries finds a richer and more varied portrait of America at war, one that defies easy interpretation. If great changes came to American life, thy were not necessarily brought by the war; if the struggle seemed one of moral unity, not all Americans were equally wedded to the cause. In considering the nation’s political economy and the effects of mobilization; the social and cultural mobility of wartime; the experiences of minority groups; the strains of domestic politics; and the influence of propaganda, Mr. Jeffries paints a picture of a people emerging from the Great Depression and eager for a better life, yet often reluctant to abandon the touchstones of their past. His succinct, informative history is a welcome contribution to our understanding of this crucial moment in the American experience.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a brief but sweeping summation of the ways in which WWII affected the nation's course and character, Jeffries, a professor of history at the University of Maryland, examines the conventional wisdom that the war was a watershed in the country's history that established the U.S. as a world economic and political power, expanded federal power at home, gave impetus to the drives for civil liberties and women's rights and laid the basis for decades of prosperity. Among social changes were increased divorce and juvenile delinquency, displaced small farmers and businessmen, a new reign of bureaucracies and the growth of the sunbelt. Jeffries argues that many of these changes were already in the making and not solely attributable to the war. In a style accessible to students and others new to this historical debate, Jeffries offers a good synthesis of arguments. Ultimately, he considers the "watershed" notion as an oversimplification of enormously complex factors that now distinguish the nation from its prewar past.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Jeffries (history, Univ. of Maryland) analyzes the home front both during World War II and in postwar life. He discusses the "good war" and what that really means. He explores Americans' mobility during the war as they relocated to work in defense plants, creating population shifts still evident today. He also takes up such topics as the expanding economy, women, and African Americans and other minority groups. The larger picture portrayed by Jeffries emphasizes the war as a turning point in American history. "A Note on Sources" serves as the concluding chapter, however, it does not take the place of documenting the facts presented throughout the book with footnotes or endnotes. This detracts from the credibility of the work. An optional title for history collections.?Dorothy Lilly, Grosse Pointe North H.S. Lib., Mich.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R. Dee (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156663119X
• ISBN-13: 978-1566631198
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Contrasting perspective, March 20, 2000

By 

"ezmony" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wartime America: The World War II Home Front (American Ways Series) (Hardcover)

I found Jeffries' work to be lucid, informative and well written. Unlike the previous review, I was able to digest this work in an afternoon. The author does provide an alternative case for some popular history. But in fairness, his work offers the reader insights into the mindset and context of Americana circa 1941-1945. I wish Jeffries had expanded on the implications of EO 9066 in some greater depth, but that is a personal observation only and should not be construed as a negative reflection on his work. I compliment the author on his citation of sources which should provide the serious student with an abundance of further leads. Very much worth a look.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TAKING OFF THE ROSE-COLORED GLASSES, June 21, 2002

By 

Martha E. Crites (Seattle, Wa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wartime America: The World War II Home Front (American Ways Series) (Paperback)

John Jeffries examines the popular views of WWII as the "Good War" and as a watershed that led to rapid change in American society. His look at the economics may be dry, but the demographics are fascinating. He suggests that changes in prosperity, advances in science, and increases in federal power ushered in a time of big government, big business, big farming and vast social change for women and minorities--but the change was already under way. Chapters on geographic mobility and minority groups are particularly helpful in showing how these changes fit into the larger picture of American history. Was it a "Good War?" Recent books like The Greatest Generation pay a well-deserved tribute to the men and women of the era, but contribute to a misleading rose-colored view of the time. Jeffries' book adds fact and realism that lead to a clearer picture of the time.

3 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars "Wartime America"ÿ, December 4, 1999

By 

Cecil W. Cox (Tyler, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wartime America: The World War II Home Front (American Ways Series) (Paperback)

This book took me three months to read. It was so dry and boring it put me to sleep. The book contains no charts, no photos, nothing but text. It was part of an assignment for a college lesson. I'm embrassed to admit I chose this book because it was thin, yet the subject was over the topic I wanted. After I read it, I didn't find the deepth it promised. Its view was off in left field. If I was going to point out any one thing I learned for this book I'd say, size doesn't always make a book easy."ÿ