The Darkest Year
The American Home Front 1941-1942
by William K. Klingaman
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Pub Date Feb 19 2019 | Archive Date Feb 19 2019
Description
The Darkest Year is acclaimed author William K. Klingaman’s narrative history of the American home front from December 7, 1941 through the end of 1942, a psychological study of the nation under the pressure of total war.
For Americans on the home front, the twelve months following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor comprised the darkest year of World War Two. Despite government attempts to disguise the magnitude of American losses, it was clear that the nation had suffered a nearly unbroken string of military setbacks in the Pacific; by the autumn of 1942, government officials were openly acknowledging the possibility that the United States might lose the war.
Appeals for unity and declarations of support for the war effort in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor made it appear as though the class hostilities and partisan animosities that had beset the United States for decades — and grown sharper during the Depression — suddenly disappeared. They did not, and a deeply divided American society splintered further during 1942 as numerous interest groups sought to turn the wartime emergency to their own advantage.
Blunders and repeated displays of incompetence by the Roosevelt administration added to the sense of anxiety and uncertainty that hung over the nation.
The Darkest Year focuses on Americans’ state of mind not only through what they said, but in the day-to-day details of their behavior. Klingaman blends these psychological effects with the changes the war wrought in American society and culture, including shifts in family roles, race relations, economic pursuits, popular entertainment, education, and the arts.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781250133175 |
| PRICE | $29.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Featured Reviews
Patti S, Reviewer
This was a very interesting look at the Homefront during World War II. I am fascinated by this time in history and this book did not disappoint. With all the difficulties of,just living, working and all the shortages that everyone had to put up with, they still cared about one another and did all they could to help the war effort. I highly recommend this book.
Jeremy B, Reviewer
The usual view of the American home front during WW2 is one of a united people efficiently pulling together as one. This book, as opposed to the many others that have been published on the subject, demonstrably proves that was not the case. Self interest, racism, sexism and inefficiency were pervasive . So was the influence of a bloated federal bureaucracy often working at cross purposes within its own structure. The government did not trust the people with the truth about how badly the war was going and as a consequence the people mistrusted what little they did learn from the government. It really was the darkest year and this book on the whole does well in telling that period's unique story.
However, the story is told from the proverbial view from 10,000 feet. Information garnered from diaries, family stories, interviews would have given the book the sense of liveliness intimacy and personality that it lacks.
Abby S, Reviewer
History at its best Hometown USA during Ww2 .The people pulling together helping each other cope survive my type of book .#netgalley the darkest year #st.Martinsbooks.
Barb K, Reviewer
I was interested to read “The Darkest Year” by William K. Klingaman in order to understand exactly what the American people endured and suffered during WWII. Although this book provided a psychological study of the citizens of a nation of war, I found it very difficult to follow. Also, my perception of what life might have been like during that time was totally destroyed. I was under the impression that the citizens of the United States did everything possible to support their governments during this time. I was mistaken. The human conditions of greed, selfishness, and self-preservation to the detriment of others was prevalent in both countries. My fairy-tale theories of this “romantic”, at least to me, time in history were dashed. I did not finish this book because of that. It made my love of historical WWII fiction seem childish and unreal.
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