This is a new edition of a classic book for a new generation.""Down and Out in the Great Depression"" is a moving, revealing collection of letters by the forgotten men, women, and children who suffered through one of the greatest periods of hardship in American history. Mainly because of his radio talks, thousands felt they knew President Franklin Roosevelt personally and could confide in him about their troubles. Sifting through some 15,000 letters from government and private sources, Robert McElvaine has culled nearly 200 examples that best show the problems, thoughts, and emotions of ordinary people during this time. For this twenty-fifth anniversary edition, McElvaine provides a new foreword recounting the history of the book, its impact on the historiography of the Depression, and its continued importance today.

About the Author
ROBERT S. McELVAINE is Elizabeth Chisholm Professor of Arts and Letters and professor of history at Millsaps College.


Book Information
ISBN 9780807858912
Author Robert S. McElvaine
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint The University of North Carolina Press
Publisher The University of North Carolina Press
Weight(grams) 395g