90 pages • 3 hours read
Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression
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Book Brief
480
Biography • Nonfiction
United States • 1930s
1970
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Hard Times by Studs Terkel is an oral history of the Great Depression, featuring interviews with 160 individuals from varied backgrounds, including migratory workers, union organizers, and government officials. Through these personal recollections, Terkel explores themes such as labor strife, race, political turmoil, and the psychological impact of the Depression, while contrasting the experiences of those who lived through it with the perspectives of younger generations. The book includes depictions of suicide, mental health issues, and extreme stress.
Informative
Gritty
Melancholic
Challenging
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
3,357 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Studs Terkel's Hard Times masterfully captures the human experience of the Great Depression through compelling oral histories. Critics praise its depth and emotional resonance, while some find its episodic nature lacks cohesion. Overall, Terkel's vivid portrayal of resilience and hardship is both enlightening and moving.
Who Should Read Hard Times?
Readers who would enjoy Hard Times by Studs Terkel are history enthusiasts and fans of oral histories. They appreciate firsthand accounts of societal struggles. Comparable books include The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee, which also explore the human impact of economic hardships.
3,357 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The 32nd U.S. president, who is frequently mentioned by Terkel's interviewees due to his central role during the Depression with his New Deal policies and charismatic radio "fireside chats."
Father Charles Coughlin
Father Charles Coughlin
A Catholic priest and influential radio broadcaster during the Depression, whose populist messages initially supported but later opposed President Roosevelt; he is remembered by interviewees for his vehement criticisms and controversial rhetoric.
Samuel Insull
Samuel Insull
A prominent Chicago-based businessman whose financial empire's collapse left a significant impact on many people during the Depression, including Terkel’s own family, and became emblematic of the risky financial practices of the pre-crash era.
480
Biography • Nonfiction
United States • 1930s
1970
Adult
18+ years
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