59 pages • 1 hour read
The Worst Hard Time
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Book Brief
340
Book • Nonfiction
Great Plains • 1930s
2005
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan chronicles the history of the Dust Bowl from the late 1800s to 1939, detailing the errors leading to the environmental and economic disasters of the 1930s. Through survivor stories, he illustrates the impact on farmers, ranchers, and other residents in severely affected areas, highlighting how misguided policies and actions exacerbated the devastation and how FDR's New Deal sought eventual recovery.
Dark
Challenging
Melancholic
Informative
Reviews & Readership
63,389 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Timothy Egan's The Worst Hard Time is widely praised for its thorough research and compelling storytelling about the Dust Bowl. Readers commend its vivid, human-centered narrative but some criticize its dense detail, which can feel overwhelming. Overall, Egan successfully illuminates this harsh, poignant chapter of American history.
Who Should Read The Worst Hard Time?
Readers who enjoy The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan typically have an interest in American history, environmental issues, and human resilience. Fans of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and Timothy Snyder's Bloodlands will find this vivid account of the Dust Bowl compelling and informative.
63,389 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
340
Book • Nonfiction
Great Plains • 1930s
2005
Adult
18+ years
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