The Glory and the Dream
 First edition (publ. Little, Brown) | |
| Author | William Manchester |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | U.S. history |
| Genre | Nonfiction |
| Published | 1974 |
| Publisher | Little, Brown |
| Publication place | United States |
The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932–1972 is a 1,400-page social history by William Manchester, first published in 1974. Sometimes sold as two volumes, it describes the history of the United States between 1932 and 1972.
Content
[edit]The book details both social history and political machinations in the period with a focus on how the New Deal, the Second World War and the Cold War influenced American culture.[1] Special attention is paid to Roosevelt's New Deal and the lasting effect it had on the U.S. government. Manchester simplifies the complex political maneuvers and opaque terminology that pervaded Cold War politics to more accessible language.[2]
The book's title is taken from William Wordsworth's poem "Ode: Intimations of Immortality": "Whither is fled the visionary gleam? / Where is it now, the glory and the dream?"[3]
Release and reception
[edit]The Glory and the Dream was listed as a New York Times bestseller in 1975.[4] In The Scotsman, Michael Aitken called it "a collossal piece of nostalgia that brings to mind G.K. Chesterton's insight that the real American is all right: it is the ideal American who is all wrong."[5]
The book was translated into Chinese by Dong Leshan.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ Bernstein, Adam (June 4, 2004). "Author of Military History William Manchester Dies". The Washington Post. pp. B7. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ The 1973-1974 edition came in two maroon, navy and gray books with William Manchester's signature on the obverse. The books are labelled 1 and 2 on the sides. "America During, After FDR's Reign". The Lincoln Star. January 12, 1975. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Wordsworth, William. "Intimations of Immortality". Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- ^ "The Best Sellers of 1975". The New York Times Book Review. The New York Times. December 7, 1975. p. 361. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Aitken, Michael (July 19, 1975). "American Reflections". The Weekend Scotsman. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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