The Year of Indecision, 1946

A Tour Through the Crucible of Harry Truman's America

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations, History, Modern, 20th Century, Americas, United States
Cover of the book The Year of Indecision, 1946 by Kenneth Weisbrode, Penguin Publishing Group
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kenneth Weisbrode ISBN: 9780698145719
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group Publication: March 1, 2016
Imprint: Viking Language: English
Author: Kenneth Weisbrode
ISBN: 9780698145719
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication: March 1, 2016
Imprint: Viking
Language: English

A vivid account of America at the pivot point of the postwar era, Harry Truman’s first full year in office
 
In 1946, America had just exited the biggest war in modern history and was about to enter another of a kind no one had fought before. We think of this moment as the brilliant start of America Triumphant, in world politics and economics. But the reality is murkier: 1946 brought tension between industry and labor, political disunity, bad veteran morale, housing crises, inflation, a Soviet menace—all shadowed by an indecisiveness that would plague decision makers who would waffle between engagement and isolation, as the country itself pivoted between prosperity and retrenchment, through the rest of the century.
            The Year of Indecision, 1946 overturns the image of Truman as a can-do leader—1946, in fact, marked a nadir in his troubled presidency. Relations broke down with the Soviet Union, and nearly did with the British. The United States suffered shortages and strikes of a magnitude it had not seen in years. In November 1946, the Democrats lost both houses of Congress. The tension between fear and optimism expressed itself too in popular culture. Americans rejoiced in talent and creative energy, but a shift was brewing: Bing Crosby making room for Bill Haley and B.B. King; John Wayne for Montgomery Clift. That year also saw a burst of spirit in literature, music, art and film—beneath the shadow of noir. 
            The issues and tensions we face today echo those of seven decades ago. As we observe in this portrait of the era just before our own, as America learned, piecemeal and reluctantly, to act like a world power, it tried, and succeeded only partially, to master fear. Indecision, Weisbrode argues, is the leitmotif of American history.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A vivid account of America at the pivot point of the postwar era, Harry Truman’s first full year in office
 
In 1946, America had just exited the biggest war in modern history and was about to enter another of a kind no one had fought before. We think of this moment as the brilliant start of America Triumphant, in world politics and economics. But the reality is murkier: 1946 brought tension between industry and labor, political disunity, bad veteran morale, housing crises, inflation, a Soviet menace—all shadowed by an indecisiveness that would plague decision makers who would waffle between engagement and isolation, as the country itself pivoted between prosperity and retrenchment, through the rest of the century.
            The Year of Indecision, 1946 overturns the image of Truman as a can-do leader—1946, in fact, marked a nadir in his troubled presidency. Relations broke down with the Soviet Union, and nearly did with the British. The United States suffered shortages and strikes of a magnitude it had not seen in years. In November 1946, the Democrats lost both houses of Congress. The tension between fear and optimism expressed itself too in popular culture. Americans rejoiced in talent and creative energy, but a shift was brewing: Bing Crosby making room for Bill Haley and B.B. King; John Wayne for Montgomery Clift. That year also saw a burst of spirit in literature, music, art and film—beneath the shadow of noir. 
            The issues and tensions we face today echo those of seven decades ago. As we observe in this portrait of the era just before our own, as America learned, piecemeal and reluctantly, to act like a world power, it tried, and succeeded only partially, to master fear. Indecision, Weisbrode argues, is the leitmotif of American history.

More books from Penguin Publishing Group

Cover of the book Like Family by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Lighthead by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Claws for Alarm by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Dark Slayer by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book The Trailsman #312 by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book The Broken Girls by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Folk Hats by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Absolution Gap by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Captive by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Book of the Dead by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Accidentally Dead, Again by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Cat vs. Cat by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Modern Romance by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Firestorm by Kenneth Weisbrode
Cover of the book Doom With a View by Kenneth Weisbrode
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy