American Dreams: Lost and Found by Studs Terkel (PDF)

Description

“Here is the raw material for one thousand novels….incomparable.”—Margaret AtwoodIn this unique look at one of our most pervasive national myths, Studs Terkel persuades an extraordinary range of Americans to articulate their version of “The American Dream.” Beginning with an embittered winner of the Miss U.S.A. contest who sees the con behind the dream of success and including an early interview with a highly ambitious Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terkel explores the diverse landscape of the promise of the United States—from farm kids dreaming of the city to city kids determined to get out, from the Boston Brahmin to the KKK member, from newly arrived immigrants to families who have lived in this country for generations, these narratives include figures both famous and infamous. Filtered through the lens of our leading oral historian, the chorus of voices in American Dreams highlights the hopes and struggles of coming to and living in the United States.Originally published in 1980, this is a classic work of oral history that provides an extraordinary and moving picture of everyday American lives.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review Here is raw material for one thousand novels in one medium-sized book!… Incomparable. Studs Terkel’s done it again. — Margaret AtwoodIn American Dreams, Mr. Terkel, a superb editor as well as the ideal listener… becomes Walt Whitman. — John LeonardStuds Terkel has captured the melody of America. — Nicholas Von HoffmanStuds Terkel shows America from the inside out — a fascinating and revelatory portrait. — Ronald SteelThe best of Terkel’s works. A stirring, hopeful book. — Robert Sherrill, front page, New York Times Book Review About the Author Studs Terkel is the author of eleven books of oral history, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Good War.” A member of the Academy of Arts and Letters, he was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I am going deep on Stud Terkel’s oeuvre. His oral histories provide unique insights into America for someone foreign born

⭐this book changed my life…how i look at people…everybody has a story….really a great book

⭐The first time I saw Studs Terkel he was being interviewed on national television as to some of his writings. He was so down to earth, personable, and funny that I enjoyed listening to every word of the answers to questions asked. I bought his book. He wrote about differing personalities and places where he enjoyed having been. It was most interesting to be vicariously on these trips with him. He charms his listeners and readers and audiance. His book is a good investment for a rainy day.

⭐Book has such great insight to others. Love the stories and glad I grabbed this one to keep on a bookshelf. Great reread along with Working.

⭐Studs Terkel writes good oral histories well written good condition

⭐I am a Studs Terkel fan and truly enjoy his work. Would recommend this to anyone who follows him.

⭐good read

⭐As I have done on other occasion when I am reviewing more than one work by an author I am using some of the same comments, where they are pertinent, here as I did in earlier reviews. In this series the first Studs Terkel book reviewed was that of his “The Good War”: an Oral History of World War II.Strangely, as I found out about the recent death of long time pro-working class journalist and general truth-teller “Studs” Terkel I was just beginning to read his “The Good War”, about the lives and experiences of, mainly, ordinary people during World War II in America and elsewhere, for review in this space. As with other authors once I get started I tend to like to review several works that are relevant to see where their work goes. In the present case the review of American Dreams: Lost And Found serves a dual purpose. First, to reflect on the lives of working people (circa 1980 here but the relevant points could be articulated, as well, in 2008): the recent arrivals to these shores hungry to seek the “streets of gold”; those Native Americans, as exemplified by Vince Deloria’s story, whose ancestors preceded our own and who continue to bring up the rear; those blacks and mountain whites who made the internal migratory trek from the South and, in some cases, found more in common than in difference; and, others who do not easily fit into any of those patterns but who nevertheless have stories to tell. And grievances, just, unjust or whimsical, to spill. Secondly, always hovering in the background is one of Studs’ preoccupations- the fate of his generation- the so-called “greatest generation”. Those stories, as told here, are certainly a mixed bag. Thus, there is no little irony in the title of this oral history.One thing that I noticed immediately after reading this book, and as is true of the majority of Terkel’s interview books, is that he is not the dominant presence but is a rather light, if intensely interested, interloper in these stories. For better or worse the interviewees get to tell their stories, unchained. In this age of 24/7 media coverage with every half-baked journalist or wannabe interjecting his or her personality into somebody else’s story this was, and is, rather refreshing. Of course this journalistic virtue does not mean that Studs did not have control over who got to tell their stories and who didn’t to fit his preoccupations and sense of order. He has a point he wants to make and that is that although most “ordinary” people do not make the history books they certainly make history, if not always of their own accord or to their own liking. Again, kudos and adieu Studs.

⭐Based around the loose premise of the ‘American Dream’ this book charts the struggles and hopes of people from all over the world trying to make their way in America. Containing hundreds of interviews, edited by Studs Terkel himself, this book is humbling, wise and an education.It’s full of people shooting from the hip, sharing their truths about what they have experienced and their thoughts on the future.Oh, and don’t be put off by the fact that it was written in 1980, the truth don’t date.

⭐arrived safely – thx

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