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The New Deal: A Modern History Audiobook
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(3.10) - 73 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Michael Hiltzik tells the epic story of the New Deal through the outsized personalities of the people who fought for it, opposed it, and benefited from it, rendering vital lessons for our own time.
As America struggles with an economic debacle akin to the Great Depression, nothing could be timelier than an authoritative account of the New Deal, masterfully written by Michael Hiltzik, author of the acclaimed history of the Hoover Dam, Colossus.
In this richly peopled, vividly rendered narrative, Hiltzik describes how the urgent short-term relief measures of Franklin Roosevelt’s Hundred Days evolved into a transformative concept of the federal role in American life. Rather than the product of a single ideology, the New Deal emerged from the clash of ideas held by advisors from very different backgrounds. With historical and psychological insight, Hiltzik sheds light on the lives of the gargantuan characters who fought for and against it: Herbert Hoover, whose own administration gave birth to many of the programs that would become part of the New Deal; General Hugh Johnson, the West Pointer whose pugnacious leadership of the National Recovery Administration symbolized the New Deal for millions of Americans; Harry Hopkins, whose closeness to Roosevelt earned him the moniker “deputy president”; and many other fascinating figures. What emerges is a saga of how FDR managed to recast the federal government into something that still inspires: a unifying structure with the concept of social justice at its heart.
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"An excellent look at the period 1932-1938. So much of the social fabric of modern America dates from this period. It was interesting to see how it came about and the parallels in 2011."
— Patricrk (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Detailed and vividly written—destined to be the standard history for decades to come.”
— Washington Post -
“Makes a fascinating reading for a nation facing many of the same problems it confronted, and conquered, eighty years ago.”
— The Philadelphia Inquirer -
“Michael Hiltzik…gets credit for hitting the timing jackpot. Just as President Obama is once again attempting to make the case for government action, Hiltzik’s latest book, The New Deal: A Modern History, is arriving in book stores.”
— Salon -
“An important addition to our understanding of a significant period in recent American history…Traber Burns’ narration is clear, even, and emphatic. He makes an avalanche of events and dates easily accessible to the listener. Burns seems to draw some of his inspiration from the great radio announcers of the era.”
— AudioFile -
“A sweeping, lively survey… [written] with panache and skill… A timely, well-executed overview of the program that laid the foundation for the modern progressive state.”
— Kirkus Reviews
The New Deal Listener Reviews
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" This was an excellent book that discussed the New Deal. "
— Jim, 5/14/2013 -
" Pretty good work, if obviously pro-New Deal and pro-FDR. A great intro to the time period and to some of the thought that led up to it. "
— Andrew, 5/2/2013 -
" nice overview of the New Deal "
— Tom, 4/21/2012 -
" Excellent book. Well written and easy to read. Highly recommend! "
— Alan, 4/9/2012 -
" It's pretty scary and sad that so much that went on then is still going on today. "
— Annette, 1/4/2012
About Michael Hiltzik
Michael Hiltzik is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author who has covered business, technology, and public policy for the Los Angeles Times for twenty years. In that time he has served as a financial and political writer, an investigative reporter, and a foreign correspondent in Africa and Russia. He currently serves as the Times’ business columnist. His other books include Colossus, The Plot Against Social Security, Dealers of Lightning, and A Death in Kenya. He received the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for articles exposing corruption in the entertainment industry. Among his other awards for excellence in reporting are the 2004 Gerald Loeb Award for outstanding business commentary and the Silver Gavel from the American Bar Association for outstanding legal reporting. A graduate of Colgate University, he received a master of science degree in journalism from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in 1974. He lives in Southern California with his wife and two children.
About Traber Burns
Traber Burns worked for thirty-five years in regional theater, including the New York, Oregon, and Alabama Shakespeare festivals. He also spent five years in Los Angeles appearing in many television productions and commercials, including Lost, Close to Home, Without a Trace, Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, Cold Case, Gilmore Girls, and others.