I’m looking for non-fiction books that would give me a good idea of what life was like for the average people in the US in the 1950s, especially the middle classes. Preferably something that gives an accessible overview of the politics of the time and how they got there, what technology looked like at the time, and what the culture was like for people inside the country.
Thanks for any suggestions 🙂
by midascomplex
1 Comment
The Hidden Persuaders by Vance Packard is perfect for this – it breaks down how advertising was shaping American culture and consumerism in the 50s, which was huge for middle class life. For politics, i’d definitely check out The Vital Center by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. since it really captures the liberal mindset of the era. If you want something more comprehensive that covers daily life, technology, and culture all together, try The Fifties by David Halberstam – it’s pretty accessable and covers everything from suburbia to TV to the Cold War paranoia that was everywhere.