Only Yesterday - An Informal History of the 1920s

This interesting book by Frederick Lewis Allen provided me with a cross section of American history from the signing of the armistice that ended WWI to the stock market crash of 1929.

It provided an informative overview, well written with plenty of stories that I had never heard before.  Allen provides the standard history of the presidents of the period (Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover), the economy and major occurrences.  His coverage of the great controversy that followed Harding's death (and the highly suspicious nature of his death) was completely new to me.

But he also brought the spotlight to lesser known stories... the country's love affair with boxing; national rages over crossword puzzles; global obsession with ocean crossings and long-distance flight (well beyond Lindberg).  His chronicle of the rise of radio, mobsters and Prohibition were more expected, but interesting nonetheless.

I'm struck with the great contrast of the period that began with world war, continued with unprecedented prosperity, ending with the Great Depression.  It's proof how world affairs can change dramatically within a shockingly short span.

I've added his follow up, Since Yesterday: The 1930s in America to my list.  And just now looking at his other works I'm intrigued by The Lords of Creation: The History of America's 1%.  Perhaps Allen, who died in 1954, was the first to coin that term.