Grand expectations - James T. Patterson

This latest volume in the Oxford History of the United States series skilfully weaves together political, social, cultural, and economic history to present a fascinating survey of postwar America. James Patterson identifies two major principles guiding American life in the 1945-1974 period. Firstly, the economic dominance and unparalleled affluence that led the American people to expect that they could live the `good life'. Secondly, the nation's overwhelming military power - which the U.S. government attempted to use to spread American policies and values throughout the world. The narrative takes us from the astonishing economic progress of the 1950s - when America established itself as `the leader of the Free World', to the tumultuous events of the 1960s, and the quagmire of Vietnam that shattered the nation's confidence by 1968, and drove President Lyndon Johnson from office. The years that followed saw a period of disillusionment, raging inflation at home, and a strong move away from the reform spirit of the 1960s. Patterson does a masterly job of pulling all the diverse strands of his narrative into a coherent and compelling story that engages the reader on every page.