Life in the United States by David Kyvig - Book Report/Review Example

Kyvig, Kyvig. Daily Life in the United s, 1920 - 1939: Decades of Promise and Pain. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002. Part 1: Summary Kyvig, David in his book, Life in the United States, 1920-1939: Decades of promise and pain, attempts to evaluate life within America for a decade where promises were made but later on citizens ended up feeling pain. The author maintains that within between the 1920 and 1939, there were many changes in the American population. Amongst these changes included innovations within technology, increasing urbanization, and restructure in the governance system such as the introduction of the 18th Amendment. These changes influenced the daily lives of Americans. Kyvig in this book attempts to evaluate the effect of innovations and technology on various sectors of the economy such as transport, electricity, communication, and entertainment. He describes the automobiles, electricity, radio, and cinema that resulted from technological innovations thus changing the lives of the ordinary Americans. Kyvig maintains in his thesis that despite the gradual and rapid changes in America to yield good, peaceful, and enjoyable lives, there were disruptions that have so far become part of human America. Technological innovations led to creation of more vehicles during the onset of the 1920s thus enhancing the movement of people. However, during this time it was unusual to own a motor vehicle; a fact that lost meaning in less than a decade where motor vehicle ownership became something common1. Kyvig2 confirms that it was during this period that many motor vehicle development and creation companies emerged. In this book, the author explains how with the introduction of credit buying market changed significantly where consumers were not only given the opportunity to own vehicle and other commodities but also changed their buying habit and behavior3. The concept of credit buying extended to electricity, radio, and cinema acquisitions within the daily lives of Americans. A new rhythm, aroma, and feeling in the American lives developed through invention of the electricity, radio, and cinema. Technological innovations of radio and cinema followed the electricity inventions since the former required power to play4. Transport and communication during these decades (1920-1939) were enhanced thereby making daily lives of ordinary Americans to be easy and enjoyable5. In addition, the author6 confirms that the introduction of cinema enhanced entertainment. During the early 1920s when motor companies were changing the market structure, Kyvig recalls that other than introduction of credit purchasing advertisement was another aspect of the market that had been developed. Therefore, introduction of motion pictures resulting from technological inventions of the cinema significantly changed the advertising aspect of business7. Nevertheless, Kyvig asserts that such sweet, enjoyable lives of Americans never lacked problems8. Despite gradual and rapid transformation of American lives during the 1920s, conflict, crime, and catastrophes that hit the American land disrupted the good lives. To the worst of all these problems was the Great Depression. Crumbling of the American economy in the 1930s was the genesis of American problems9. Later on came the World War II with its social upheaval and revitalization of the economy, which resulted into more problems10. A part that pains the author most is despite promise by Franklin Roosevelt’s administration to make life better, Americans have continued to suffer in pain11. The author claims that despite the promises and good life Americans had at the onset of 1920, the two decades were full of joy that were later on disrupted by crime, catastrophe, conflict, Great Depression, and the World War II. Some of these problems have become part of human in America. Part 2: Analysis Kyvig uses both chronological and thematic structures to explain how America lives changed gradually and rapidly with disruptions towards the end. Most of the events chronologically listed and discussed. From 1920 to 1939, Kyvig attempts to explain the events that took place, which changed the daily lives of Americans. In addition, the author employs the use of themes to develop on his thesis statement. Thematic structure in this book involves the discussion of various activities that occurred during the mentioned period, which in essence forms the themes of the book. Therefore, through the use of both chronological and thematic structures, Kyvig aims at convincing the readers that despite experiencing good times between 1920 and 1930, Americans were not the exceptions in experiencing problems and difficulties associated with economies. While making use of various resources that ranged from books, journals, to magazines and academic papers, Kyvig manages to articulate that despite Americans experience both promises and pain in the two decades. In a bitter and disillusioned tone, Kyvig attempts to reach out to American people especially administration on fulfilling their promises. This especially follows the period of happiness that the country had attained during the two decades. Though most of the resources used by the author are secondary, they provide logical arguments on the subject Kyvig is writing on with a view to changing the lives of readers. Secondary sources in most cases are regarded as authentic since they are considered reviewed articles. Most of the secondary sources that Kyvig uses in developing on his thesis statement are peer-reviewed hence making the arguments authentic. In other cases, Kyvig employs the use of primary data mainly obtained through observation. It is true that from these sources, Kyvig has been able to provide a critical analysis of the situation at hand. Historically, the book is an effective tool in understanding American culture. America is in the category of developed nations within the globe. Development in a nation does not occur from the blues but there must be a basis for achieving such prosperity. The book provides a synopsis on the background information explaining how America started its way to development and prosperity. Despite the problems that hit the economy later on, America had established a foundation upon which the current economic development and prosperity is built. By providing historical facts in the book, Kyvig makes it easy to understand how America has been able to attain her status as a developed country. Historical facts are therefore very vital in describing contemporary events and actions of individuals. Most of the historical facts outlined in this book directly represent the current situation in America. The book provides understanding on the technological innovations that the world is contemporary witnessing. Technological innovations and development have so far become part of human activities especially in the contemporary world. For instance, with introduction of motor vehicles as well as the radio and cinema, the contemporary society has found it easier to move from one place to another, engage in commercial activities, communicate, and access entertainment. Transport, communication, and entertainment are part of contemporary to a significant extent. Nonetheless, it is important to understand the basis of such technological developments. America has attained technological developments through establishing some important aspects of the same. Such aspects have been articulated within this book hence giving an explanation on where America has come from thus creating room to visualize where the economy is likely to be in the near future. Other than describing and explaining the good side of the lives of ordinary Americans, this book also explains the genesis of different social, political, and economical problems. It is undisputable that the contemporary environment is facing so much political, social, and economical problems. This book explains the emergence of social conflict, crimes, and catastrophe within the American economy. Explanations on how personal disputes resulted into emotional conflicts and violence are a perfect way of understanding the foundation of the current social problems affecting the great nation. Contemporarily, America is facing a lot of social problems that range from conflict to crime. In addition, the author identifies the fact that catastrophes are not some things of the present as they started way back in history. Recently, America was hit by the Katrina hurricanes. The arguments of this book should provide an explanation as to the genesis of these problems in the society. Political and economic problems have been the main characteristics of America in the contemporary times. Kyvig asserts that Franklin Roosevelt was the American president who took over after the 1930s promising a lot but ended up delivering none of his promises. Unlike in the previous decades where the radio was extensively used, Kyvig confirms on how President Franklin personalized radio as a form of communication. Undeniably, America has since then had presidents who promise but very little if any deliver their promises. The book is a perfect mirror explaining the political scenarios experienced within America where politicians promise great things but very few of them if any deliver their promises. On a different perspective, Great Depression in experienced during the 1930s has reemerged again. The global arena is currently facing a financial and economic crisis believed to have originated in America. America’s economy is adversely affected by the current economic and financial crises. Therefore, most of the historical facts outlined in the book are a direct representation of the current happenings within the American economy. In conclusion, this book is an effective mirror that represents the situation in the contemporary economy. Despite the technological innovations and developments that have characterized American economy, it is also true that there are social, political, and economic problems experienced in the country. America should learn from history and adopt the way people lived slightly before the 1930s when the various problems started. Therefore, there is no doubt that this book is a perfect representation of the current situation in America despite having been written many decades ago. Bibliography Kyvig, David. Daily Life in the United States, 1920 - 1939: Decades of Promise and Pain. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002. Read More