1919: The Year That Changed America

By: Martin W. Sandler

Narrated by: Jeff Harding

Bloomsbury presents 1919 The Year That Changed America by Martin W. Sandler, read by Jeff Harding.

WINNER OF THE 2019 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

1919 was a world-shaking year. America was recovering from World War I and black soldiers returned to racism so violent that that summer would become known as the Red Summer. The suffrage movement had a long-fought win when women gained the right to vote. Laborers took to the streets to protest working conditions; nationalistic fervor led to a communism scare; and temperance gained such traction that prohibition went into effect. Each of these movements reached a tipping point that year.

Now, one hundred years later, these same social issues are more relevant than ever. Sandler traces the momentum and setbacks of these movements through this last century, showing that progress isn’t always a straight line and offering a unique lens through which we can understand history and the change many still seek.©2019 Martin W. Sandler (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Great Information BUT

The narrator was great! The historical information was great and gave me topics to further explore. The timelines are excellent. BUT the commentary sections "One Hundred Years Later" felt preachy. I had to start skipping them. Overall would recommend with the caveat that the "One Hundred Years Later" sections are not as good as the rest of the sections.

Excellent history lesson

Listen to this wonderful explanation of things that occurred 100 years ago that affect us today.

A progressive view of history

If you are a progressive, you will love this book because it reinforces the myths that underscore the progressive narrative. If not, you might want to read the first half of each chapter, and then, as the author starts to move toward interpreting history within a modern framework, skip to the next chapter.

For instance, the founder of BLM is equated with WEB Du Bois. Climate change is listed as the greatest threat which faces humanity. The failure of prohibition is blamed largely on their not being enough government created to enforce it. The list goes on and on

You can find better histories of this period without the unapologetic propaganda which fills these pages