Nothin' But Blue Skies

The Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region became the "arsenal of democracy"-the greatest manufacturing center in the world-in the years during and after World War II, thanks to natural advantages and a welcoming culture. Decades of unprecedented prosperity followed, memorably punctuated by riots, strikes, burning rivers, and oil embargoes. A vibrant, quintessentially American character bloomed in the region's cities, suburbs, and backwaters.

But the innovation and industry that defined the Rust Belt also helped to hasten its demise. An air conditioner invented in Upstate New York transformed the South from a sweaty backwoods to a non-unionized industrial competitor. Japan and Germany recovered from their defeat to build fuel-efficient cars in the stagnant 1970s. The tentpole factories that paid workers so well also filled the air with soot, and poisoned waters and soil. The jobs drifted elsewhere, and many of the people soon followed suit.

Nothin' but Blue Skies tells the story of how the country's industrial heartland grew, boomed, bottomed, and hopes to be reborn. Through a propulsive blend of storytelling and reportage, celebrated writer Edward McClelland delivers the rise, fall, and revival of the Rust Belt and its people.

“If you want to understand the ‘Chicago-style’ politics that have shaped our president—the real thing, not the right-wing cartoon—you have to read Young Mr. Obama.” —Joan Walsh, editor in chief of Salon, on Young Mr. Obama

“Captures a slice of North Americana with the precision of a Walker Evans photograph and sentences worthy of John McPhee.” —Neal Pollack on The Third Coast

“Brilliantly captures the pace of track life.” —Chicago Sun-Times on Horseplayers

National print, online, and broadcast media campaign

Coverage in Midwest media, labor media, business media

Author events in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo, NY