A History of Our Time: Readings in Postwar America
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Author Description
This comprehensive, widely-read anthology presents cogent and provocative articles from differing political perspectives on major issues in post-World War II America. The third edition is considerably expanded to include new selections on the origins of the Cold War, the struggle of African-Americans for equality, the feminist movement, and Vietnam. The final section examining prospects for America in the 1990s has been completely revised, offering articles on current topics such as the urban underclass, the "greenhouse effect," nuclear arms control, and changing relations with the Soviet Union. In addition to articles by leading historians the editors have chosen first-person accounts by participants in each of the issues under discussion, from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Letter from the Birmingham Jail to Mikhail Gorbachev's historic speech to the United Nations. With lively introductions to each section providing a context for the articles, this book helps readers make sense of the tumultuous world of our time.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This anthology investigates the defining political, social, and cultural shifts that shaped the United States in the decades following World War II. Harvard Sitkoff, a noted historian, compiles a diverse array of primary source documents and scholarly articles to provide a multi-faceted view of postwar American life. By juxtaposing academic analysis with firsthand accounts from key historical figures, the text constructs a framework for understanding the complexities of the American experience during the late twentieth century.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of the origins and progression of the Cold War and nuclear arms control.
- Primary source documentation including speeches and letters from figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mikhail Gorbachev.
- Examination of social movements including the struggle for African-American equality and the feminist movement.
- Perspectives on late-century challenges such as the urban underclass and environmental concerns like the greenhouse effect.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and educators frequently cite this anthology as a foundational resource for students seeking a balanced overview of postwar American history. Readers often note that the inclusion of diverse political viewpoints and primary source material provides a necessary depth for understanding the era's complexities.
Page Count:
544
Publication Date:
1991-02-14
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195066162
ISBN-13:
9780195066166
History
Social Science
Cold War
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