Studs Terkel Knihy

Oral history evokes the innocent idealism, as well as the terror and horror, of ordinary Americans at home and abroad during World War II

This Pulitzer Prize Winning oral history by America's legendary radio host Studs Terkel presents a remarkable document of the American experience of World War II.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian author of The Good War recounts his hard-working early childhood in Chicago, his beginnings as a disc jockey after World War II, his struggles after being blacklisted in spite of his television successes, and more. Reprint. 50,000 first printing.

Studs Turkel records the voices of America. Men and women from every walk of life talk to him, telling him of their likes and dislikes, fears, problems, and happinesses on the job. Once again, Turkel has created a rich and unique document that is as simple as conversation, but as subtle and heartfelt as the meaning of our lives.

Through candid interviews, the oral historian captures the raw and unfiltered experiences of ordinary individuals confronting mortality. These intimate conversations reveal profound insights and emotional truths, leaving a lasting impact on readers. The focus on personal narratives highlights the universal struggle with life and death, making it a poignant exploration of human resilience and vulnerability.

First published in 1970, this classic of oral history features the voices of persons who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s. It includes accounts by congressmen C. Wright Patman & Hamilton Fish, as well as failed presidential candidate Alf M. Landon, who recalls what it was like to be governor of Kansas in 1933: "Men with tears in their eyes begged for an appointment that would help save their homes & farms. I couldn't see them all in my office. But I never let one of them leave without my coming out & shakin' hands with 'em. I listened to all their stories, each one of 'em. But it was obvious I couldn't take care of all their terrible needs." The book includes also the perspectives of ordinary men & women, such as Jim Sheridan, who took part in the 1932 march by WWI veterans to petition for their benefits in Washington, DC, where they were repelled by army troops led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Or Edward Santander, who was a child then: "My first memories come about '31. It was simply a gut issue then: eating or not eating, living or not living." Studs Terkel makes history come alive, drawing out experiences & emotions from interviewees to the degree few have ever been able to match.

This landmark reissue of a classic work offers a vibrant microcosm of America, showcasing diverse voices and experiences. Enhanced by a new foreword from a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, it invites readers to explore the rich tapestry of American life through personal stories. The book serves as both a historical document and a reflection on societal themes, making it a significant contribution to understanding the complexities of the American experience.

"Here is the raw material for one thousand novels….incomparable."—Margaret Atwood In this unique look at one of our most pervasive national myths, Studs Terkel persuades an extraordinary range of Americans to articulate their version of "The American Dream." Beginning with an embittered winner of the Miss U.S.A. contest who sees the con behind the dream of success and including an early interview with a highly ambitious Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terkel explores the diverse landscape of the promise of the United States—from farm kids dreaming of the city to city kids determined to get out, from the Boston Brahmin to the KKK member, from newly arrived immigrants to families who have lived in this country for generations, these narratives include figures both famous and infamous. Filtered through the lens of our leading oral historian, the chorus of voices in American Dreams highlights the hopes and struggles of coming to and living in the United States. Originally published in 1980, this is a classic work of oral history that provides an extraordinary and moving picture of everyday American lives.

America's most inspirational voices, in their own words: "If you're looking for a reason to act and dream again, you'll find it in the pages of this book" ( Chicago Tribune ). Published when Studs Terkel was ninety-one years old, this astonishing oral history tackles one of the famed journalist's most elusive subjects: Hope. Where does it come from? What are its essential qualities? How do we sustain it in the darkest of times? An alternative, more personal chronicle of the "American century," Hope Dies Last is a testament to the indefatigable spirit that Studs has always embodied, and an inheritance for those who, by taking a stand, are making concrete the dreams of today. A former death row inmate who served nearly twenty years for a crime he did not commit discusses his never-ending fight for justice. Tom Hayden, author of The Port Huron Statement , contemplates the legacy of 1960s student activism. Liberal economist John Kenneth Galbraith reflects on the enduring problem of corporate malfeasance. From a doctor who teaches his young students compassion to the retired brigadier general who flew the Enola Gay over Hiroshima, these interviews tell us much about the power of the American dream and the force of individuals who advocate for a better world. With grace and warmth, Terkel's subjects express their secret hopes and dreams. Taken together, this collection of interviews tells an inspiring story of optimism and persistence, told in voices that resonate with the eloquence of conviction. "The value of Hope Dies Last lies not in what it teaches readers about its narrow subject, but in the fascinating stories it reveals, and the insight it allows into the vast range of human experience." -- The A.V. Club "Very Terkelesque--by now the man requires an adjective of his own." --Margaret Atwood, The New York Times Review of Books "An American treasure." --Cornel West

The author of Working and Hard Times examines the leading issue in American politics, presenting the feelings of nearly one hundred Americans on such issues as affirmative action, changing neighborhoods, secret prejudices, and more.