Speaking of America: Readings in U.S. History, Vol. II: Since 1865

The unique range of content in SPEAKING OF AMERICA includes such interdisciplinary source materials as newspaper accounts, speeches, short stories, poems, song lyrics, photographs, maps, and paintings. No other major reader for the U.S. history course uses this American Studies style approach or incorporates as much art history and literature.

The book balances political, economic, and diplomatic history with social and cultural history. To illustrate, consider Chapter Nineteen, "The Great Depression, The New Deal." This chapter begins by tracing the economic and political progression from Herbert Hoover's presidency to Franklin Roosevelt's second New Deal. It then segues into a photographic examination of several New Deal arts programs. The lyrics of four popular union songs illustrate the militancy of labor activists. Grant Wood's "American Gothic" exemplifies regionalist artistic styles. The Hays Motion Code reflects the clash between popular culture and traditional morality. Finally, an excerpt from John Steinbeck's THE GRAPES OF WRATH gives a powerful example of Depression-era literature. In the chapter's extended article, Alan Brinkley addresses the components and implications of "The New Deal Experiments."

Introductory paragraphs that guide students into the source material precede each primary source document.

Each source is accompanied by assignable questions that ask students to evaluate the source.