The richest and most powerful single document of the american experience in world war ii the boston globe. An oral history of world war two by studs terkel, is one of the most memorable, comprehensive records of personal stories of world war ii in literature. Id heard of studs terkel, but never read any of his books. The good war is a testament not only to the experience of war but to the extraordinary skill of studs terkel as an interviewer and oral historian. Studs terkel, the noted chicagobased journalist, gathers the reminiscences of 121 participants in world war ii called the good war because, in the words of one soldier, to see fascism defeated, nothing better could have happened to a human being. Although terkel was associated with chicago, he was born in new york city on may 16, 1912, the third son of russianjewish parents. Terkels pulitzer prizewinning the good war 1984 is an oral history of world war ii that presents reminiscences of people, both famous and relatively unknown, who experienced it overseas and at home. Featuring selections from american dreams, coming of age, division street, the good war, the great divide, hard times, race, and working, this. In 1997 terkel was elected a member of the american academy of arts and letters. Studs terkel wrote a book about world war ii, in which he called it the good war, a sentiment often felt, most probably because the enemies of world war iinazi germany and militarist japanwere of such evil character that anything necessary to defeat them was deemed good. It won the pulitzer prize for non fiction and rightly so. He was the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including a presidential national humanities medal and the national book. Fred jewellap a bout 25 years ago, studs terkel was waiting for.
Featuring selections from american dreams, coming of age, division street, the good war, the great divide, hard times, race, and working, this greatest hits volume is. The studs terkel reader, originally published under the title my american century, collects the best interviews from eight of terkels classic oral histories together with his magnificent introductions to each work. How blacks and whites think and feel about the american obsession. After spending his early childhood in new york city, terkel moved with his family to chicago at age nine. Fred jewellap a bout 25 years ago, studs terkel was waiting for a number 146 bus alongside. Using the words of the people who were actually there, the good war creates a collage of the personal experiences, attitudes, fears, and.
Studs terkels the good war theatrical rights worldwide. Oct 31, 2008 so he wrote books such as working, hard times and his pulitzer prize winner, the good war oral histories of labor, the great depression and world war ii, respectively to help jog the. The work received the 1985 pulitzer prize for general nonfiction. Jan 23, 2008 studs terkel celebrating after winning the 1985 pulitzer prize for his novel the good war. A memoir of my times 1977 was the first of terkels autobiographies. In this unique recreation of one of the most dramatic periods in modern american history, studs terkel recaptures the great depression of the 1930s in all its complexity. My american century collects the best interviews from eight of terkels classic oral histories together with his wonderful original introductions to each book. Jul 22, 2019 the good war by studs terkel, 1985, ballantine edition, in english 1st ballantine books ed.
Hard times by studs terkel overdrive rakuten overdrive. His family later moved to chicago, where his father worked as a tailor. Gary younge talks to us oral historian studs terkel books. With a foreword by robert coles and a preface by calvin trillin. The book is a collection of interviews done by terkel following world war two. Studs terkel celebrating after winning the 1985 pulitzer prize for his novel the good war. Terkel explains the title, matteroffactly, as the vietnam, nuclearwar contrast. Studs terkel, the good war in this oral history collection, studs terkel presents interviews with dozens of people who, in some way, were affected by world war ii. Bell and craig carnelia, combines terkels stunning text with vintage songs of the war years, to create a unique and illuminating snapshot of the time. An oral history of world war ii 1984 is an oral history of world war ii compiled by studs terkel. I did like wwz and was intrigued by what my friend meant, so i got this book for my kindle.
An oral history of world war two is a telling of the oral history of world war ii written by studs terkel. In world war ii memories, terkel has found a great, untold storywith foreshadowings of vietnam and aftershocks of atomic warfare. The good war is advertised as an oral history of world war ii as told by veterans and citizens on many fronts which, technically, it is. One of the best books ive read with a new twist on ww ii, and the stories most. The good war consists of a series of interviews with various men and women from across the globe who directly experienced the events leading up to, including, and following the second world war. This study guide consists of approximately 36 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the good war. Bell and craig carnelia, inspired by the book by studs terkel, will see its world premiere by northlight theatre, the skokie, illinois, notforprofit, in. Nemirovsky died in the camp but the first two books and her notebooks were published after the war. Studs terkel american author and oral historian britannica. The truth about world war ii from the october 11, 2012 issue. People talk about what they do all day and how they.
From a pipe fitters apprentice at pearl harbor to a crew member of the flight that dropped the atomic bomb on. In the good war terkel presents the good, the bad, and the ugly memor. From the 1950s through 1997, studs terkel, author of working, the good war, coming of age and eight other books, hosted a daily show on wfmt in chicago. No matter how gruesome the memories are, relatively few of the interviewees said they would have been better off without the experience. Why we couldnt win the war or the peace in afghanistan by fairweather, jack isbn. Studs terkel, american author and oral historian who chronicled the lives of americans from the great depression to the early 21st century. Studs terkel 19122008 was an awardwinning author and radio broadcaster. An oral history of world war ii by studs terkel and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Through his radio interviews and books, louis studs terkel has been called the walt whitman of the radio waves and referred to himself as a guerrilla journalist with a tape recorder. It is a firsthand account of people involved before, during and after the war. Terkel won the 1985 pulitzer prize for the good war, which challenged the prevailing notion that, in contrast to the vietnam war era, world war ii was a time of unblemished national solidarity, goodwill, and unified purpose. The good war by studs terkel, 1985, ballantine edition, in english 1st ballantine books ed.
Bell based on studs terkels pulitzer prizewinning book, the good war, conceived and created by david h. So he wrote books such as working, hard times and his pulitzer prize winner, the good war oral histories of labor, the great depression and world war ii, respectively to help jog the. He received the pulitzer prize for general nonfiction in 1985 for the good war, and is best remembered for his oral histories of common americans, and for hosting a longrunning radio show in chicago. In this invaluable record of one of the most dramatic periods in modern american history, studs terkel recaptures the great depression of the 1930s in all its complexity the new. The good war, for which studs terkel won the pulitzer prize, is a testament not only to the experience of war but to the extraordinary skill of terkel as interviewer as always, his subjects are open and unrelenting in their analyses of themselves and their experiences, producing what people magazine has called a splendid epic history of world war ii. As always, his subjects are open and unrelenting in their analyses of themselves and their experiences, producing what people magazine has called a splendid epic history of world war ii. Studs terkel, byname of louis terkel, born may 16, 1912, new york city, new york, u. In this invaluable record of one of the most dramatic periods in modern american history, studs terkel recaptures the great depression of the 1930s in all its complexity the new york times. From the pulitzer prizewinning author of the good war. He was the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including a presidential national humanities medal and the national book foundation medal for distinguished contribution to. Studs terkel s book was on my shelves for many years, and ive basically ignored it for all that time. From the 1950s through 1997, studs terkel, author of working, the good war, coming of age and eight other books, hosted a daily show on wfmt in. The good war, an oral history of world war ii, by studs turkel, is a compiliation of multiple accounts from servivors, on their personal experiences of the war. In the aftermath, most americans accepted that view, at least.
Oct 31, 2008 louis studs terkel was an american author, historian, actor, and broadcaster. From a pipe fitters apprentice at pearl harbor to a crew member of the flight that dropped the. According to the author, the past decade has seen changes that have separated vast segments of that society and have even cut off past from present. The good war, for which studs terkel won the pulitzer prize, is a testament not only to the experience of war but to the extraordinary skill of terkel as interviewer. Anyone interested in any element of world war ii would be immediately captivated by terkel s work, which gives a fair and thorough discussion of all elements of the war through the words of americans, germans, brits, japanese, and many others. The good war consists of a series of interviews with various men and women from across the globe who directly experienced the events leading up to, including. An oral history of world war two by terkel, studs and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. His subjects discuss fond memories, regrets and longing, nightmarish experiences, and reflections on the future. An illustrated oral history of the great depression. The author presents over 120 interviews with people of all classes and all levels of involvement in world war 11. Louis studs terkel was an american author, historian, actor, and broadcaster. The good war, for which studs terkel won the pulitzer prize, is a testament not only to. The good war by studs terkel overdrive rakuten overdrive.
Based on studs terkels pulitzer prizewinning book, the good war, conceived and created by david h. An oral history of world war two quotes studs terkel this study guide consists of approximately 36 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the good war. Anyone interested in any element of world war ii would be immediately captivated by terkels work, which gives a fair and thorough discussion of all elements of the war through the words of americans, germans, brits, japanese, and many others. In the good war terkel presents the good, the bad, and the ugly memories of world war ii from a perspective of forty years of after the events. Studs terkels book was on my shelves for many years, and ive basically ignored it for all that time. The work won the 1985 pulitzer prize for general nonfiction. However, terkel seems to have taken a definite anti war stance with this book. But when it was time to pick a new book to read from my library, i saw it sitting there and in light of the events of september 11, it somehow seemed that this was the perfect time to read this book, and that this was the perfect book for the time. First published in 1970, this classic of oral history features the voices of men and women who lived through the great depression of the 1930s. The author presents over 120 interviews with people of all classes and all. Telling the story of the german invasion of france, this is a historical narrative written. Gary younge talks to us oral historian studs terkel.
186 317 957 724 467 385 1276 543 391 223 374 424 797 190 57 1342 817 84 1025 760 778 1028 652 887 1288 598 1269 979 750 1019