Reviews
The Good Years: From 1900 To The First World War Illustrated Edition by Walter Lord, Walter Lord
eric_conrad's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting overview of the the United States prior to World War I. Not too in depth, but enough to make me want to keep reading.
castlelass's review against another edition
4.0
Non-fiction series of vignettes, each representing a significant event in the early years of the 20th century. Walter Lord’s vivid narrative explores what life was like in America in a simpler time when people were confident that any challenge could be resolved. The author examines how these events influenced society as a whole by focusing on its parts, including the Boxer Rebellion, McKinley’s assassination, Theodore Roosevelt’s enforcement of anti-trust, the Wright Brothers’ flying machine, elaborate parties of New York socialites, the San Francisco fire and earthquake, the rise of labor laws, the momentum toward women’s suffrage, the 1907 financial panic and J. Pierpont Morgan’s role of rescuer, Henry Ford’s Model T, Robert Peary’s dash to the North Pole and the controversy over Frederick Cook’s claim of precedence, the 1912 convention that nominated Woodrow Wilson, and the last peaceful summer before World War I.
As in many collections of stories, some will be more to a specific reader’s interest than others, but all are thoroughly researched and distinctively written. Published in 1960, the author interviewed many of the actual participants. These certainly are not all “good years.” Imagine a time before air conditioning, when most people wore heavy woolen clothing, no internet, no movies, no television, even radio was still several years away. I think Lord’s point is that these years were less complicated, when people were optimistic that problems could be easily solved. Unfortunately, World War I shattered the illusions of security and easy answers.
I have always admired Lord’s writing style and his ability to bring history to life, and this book is no exception. Recommended to history buffs or anyone interested in learning more about the major events of the early years of the 20th century in the United States.
As in many collections of stories, some will be more to a specific reader’s interest than others, but all are thoroughly researched and distinctively written. Published in 1960, the author interviewed many of the actual participants. These certainly are not all “good years.” Imagine a time before air conditioning, when most people wore heavy woolen clothing, no internet, no movies, no television, even radio was still several years away. I think Lord’s point is that these years were less complicated, when people were optimistic that problems could be easily solved. Unfortunately, World War I shattered the illusions of security and easy answers.
I have always admired Lord’s writing style and his ability to bring history to life, and this book is no exception. Recommended to history buffs or anyone interested in learning more about the major events of the early years of the 20th century in the United States.
sjchaima's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
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