School Library Journal Review
Gr 6-10-Rather than concentrating on the origins of the Great Depression and the Stock Market Crash, this series offering focuses instead on the people of the United States and how they coped with the resultant political, social, and cultural disruptions in their lives. Nishi presents a well-crafted fusion of information, statistics, and apt quotations that have been thoughtfully selected from primary and secondary sources. The concise text is straightforward, objective, and lively. The author lets the words of the era's participants, backed-up with facts, tell the story of that turbulent time of change. Black-and-white photos, reproductions, and maps enhance the presentation. An extensive bibliography and a useful index are appended.-David A. Lindsey, Lakewood High and Middle School Libraries, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 6^-10. This addition to the Way People Live series presents a comprehensive overview of the Depression and its impact on real people and their lives, from farmers to bankers, urban dwellers to those in the country and suburbs. The extensive historical and political background information gives readers the necessary frame of reference and context to better understand how the Depression happened and the plight of people who lived during that difficult time. Nishi addresses the topics of education, living conditions, employment, clothing, cultural/social phenomena, morale, and ethnic/gender stereotypes and inequalities through extensively researched and diverse sources. The book's strength and value lie in the ample first-person accounts and quotes, drawn from oral and written personal histories, letters, speeches, and journals, giving a personalized perspective of the human aspect of the Depression. Although the text is densely packed and can be a bit overwhelming, readers and researchers are exposed to a wealth of diverse information. Educators will also find the book a useful reference and resource. Extensive bibliography and a reading list. Check this issue's Series Roundup for another series title. --Shelle Rosenfeld
