Rating: 
Summary: This is a stunning book - comprehensive and thoughtful yet extremely readable
Review: The scope of this book could turn readers away -- Beaver Cleaver to Elvis, John Foster Dulles to Betty Friedan, Rosa Parks to Ray Kroc, Jack Kerouac to Gary Powers. What keeps it from being daunting -- and it is daunting not just in scope, but in size (700+ pages)-- is its eminently readable style. Halberstam writes with a journalist's eye for what is critical and important, and his writing is precise and focused. This is, believe it or not, great beach reading. The chapters are never more than 15 pages long, he sprinkles the themes throughout -- a chapter here and another chapter there. And his scope is fascinating: music, politics, civil rights, war, McDonalds/GM/other industry, feminism, beat poets, advertising and the rise of things to spend your disposable income on. The last 400 pages zip by like reading Elmore Leonard. As one born after the decade (in 1961), I learned a fantastic amount that explains a lot of what I grew up with. My advice: go out, go out NOW, and buy a copy. I finished this and bought 4, to give to friends and to my dad who actually lived through the 50s and was piqued by the book. READ THIS BOOK
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding history the 1950s in America!
Review: "The Fifties," is an exceptionally well written history of the turbulent decade that author David Halberstam considers "seminal in determining what our nation is today." Halberstam combines a highly readable historical narrative with insightful social commentary to trace the many complex and controversial people and events which made the sixth decade of the twentieth century so historically important for the United States. From the unexpected triumph of President Harry Truman over Republican challenger Thomas E. Dewey in the 1948 election, to the coming to power of Kennedy, Khruschev, and Castro at the end of the decade, the reader is witness to the historical and social upheaval of the 1950s: the Korean War, and Truman's controversial firing of General Douglas MacArthur; the rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy and his virulent anti-communist crusade which came to be known as McCarthyism; Alger Hiss, Whittaker Chambers, Richard Nixon, and the House Un-American Activities Committee; the dawn of the space age and America's race for space with the USSR; the anti-establishment movement, personified by Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg, and the "Beats;" the establishment of such American institutions as McDonald's, Holiday Inn, and birth control; the coming of rock 'n roll and Elvis Presley, Charles Van Doren and the TV quiz show scandals; and many others. Halberstam paints an extraordinarily detailed and colorful portrait of the middle decade of the 20th century, and explains why it was so pivotal to the way our American culture has developed since. This is a fascinating and highly entertaining book, one which I think is Halberstam's best. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Closest thing to a time machine.
Review: I received this hefty text several years ago as a gift. Let me say, it was truly that.This book really brings the roots and context of the era in which we live into sharp focus. From the genesis of the television culture to the real beginnings of the sexual revolution, the book is matched in its breadth only by its deep insight into so many facets of modern American life. My reading habits generally lean towards non-fiction, because I truly believe that fact is many times stranger than fiction. I really enjoyed this book, and learned a great deal about the generation that came before me (I was born in 1969). Levittown, Korea, The Kinsey Report, McDonalds, General Motors, the Beat Generation, just a few of the topics which Mr. Halberstam thoughtfully weaves into a coloful and detailed whole. Finally, although this is a substantial book in terms of the sheer number of pages, it is also very reader-friendly. The chapters are broken into distinct topics so that the whole work can be picked-up and put-down over a long period of time without loosing the interest of the reader. Man, would I love to sit down with this gentleman and pick his brain. Thank you, thank you, thank you David Halberstam.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding history the 1950s in America!
Review: "The Fifties," is an exceptionally well written history of the turbulent decade that author David Halberstam considers "seminal in determining what our nation is today." Halberstam combines a highly readable historical narrative with insightful social commentary to trace the many complex and controversial people and events which made the sixth decade of the twentieth century so historically important for the United States. From the unexpected triumph of President Harry Truman over Republican challenger Thomas E. Dewey in the 1948 election, to the coming to power of Kennedy, Khruschev, and Castro at the end of the decade, the reader is witness to the historical and social upheaval of the 1950s: the Korean War, and Truman's controversial firing of General Douglas MacArthur; the rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy and his virulent anti-communist crusade which came to be known as McCarthyism; Alger Hiss, Whittaker Chambers, Richard Nixon, and the House Un-American Activities Committee; the dawn of the space age and America's race for space with the USSR; the anti-establishment movement, personified by Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg, and the "Beats;" the establishment of such American institutions as McDonald's, Holiday Inn, and birth control; the coming of rock 'n roll and Elvis Presley, Charles Van Doren and the TV quiz show scandals; and many others. Halberstam paints an extraordinarily detailed and colorful portrait of the middle decade of the 20th century, and explains why it was so pivotal to the way our American culture has developed since. This is a fascinating and highly entertaining book, one which I think is Halberstam's best. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A Guided Tour through the 1950's!
Review: This book examines the social, political and world developments that occurred in the United States during the 1950s. This is a wonderful, highly readable book that is rich in detail about a remarkable decade in history. The world changed in unpredictable ways in the 50's and Halberstam touches upon most of the major developments. This book makes clear how many novel developments of the 1950's have become an inseparable part of the fabric of today's society. This decade was a time of rapid change in which new social patterns were established. With World War II just a few years in the past, and he fruits of wartime research and development, Americans found new experiences such as television, along with uncomfortable issues such as atomic and hydrogen bombs and intercontinental missiles. Halberstam weaves a mosaic of this era by treating individual topics in each chapter. He describes the seeds of the Cold War and the Truman presidency. The tragic tale of Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant leader of the Manhattan Project, who becomes embroiled in the era's hunt for communists is described. The rise of Joseph McCarthy, and the unbridled ambition that destroyed many lives and ultimately destroyed McCarthy. The American intervention in Korea is covered, along with Gen. Mc Arthur. The entry of China into the struggle changes the strategy, and had such a lasting effects into the 21st century. The development of the hydrogen bomb, and the first computers are highlighted. Curtis LeMay establishes the Strategic Air Command to be on constant alert to unleash nuclear destruction. Eisenhower and Khrushchev come into power, and the French are embroiled in Indochina (Viet Nam). The Russians launch Sputnik, and the US is embarrassed by Vanguard. Near the end of the decade Castro overthrows Batista and establishes Cuba as a communist regime. Gary Powers in the U-2 is shot down, and Richard Nixon prepares to run for President. Seemingly small changes in society occur that have lasting influences. The beginning of such cultural watersheds as suburban housing (Levittown), motel chains (Holiday Inn) and fast food (McDonald's) all had their roots in the 1950's, and are all examined. The beginning of the Civil Rights movement, the rise of Elvis Presley and Rock and Roll, and the American automobile, designed with oversized fins by Harley Earl are also in these pages. A wild, tumultuous and vastly entertaining ride!
Rating:
Summary: An Interesting Look at the 50's
Review: I always considered the 1950's one of the more boring periods in our history, but I read the book because I'll read anything David Halberstam writes. He entertained me with the stories in this book and proved me wrong in my assumption that it was a boring decade. There was quite a bit going on in this country during the decade, from the explosion of TV and Rock & Roll, to the Korean War. The baby boom was going strong and new businesses like McDonalds and Holiday Inn were spreading all over the country. Halberstam fills us in on all this and a lot more. I love his writing style and he always does a great job of researching the topic. This book was a pleasant surprise.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and Informative
Review: This book is an excellent combination of political and social history told in a compelling narrative fashion. I was often disappointed when I came to the end of a chapter and had to switch topics. I found myself wanting to know more about the matter at hand, to find out how everything turned out. The author does a good job of avoiding any particular political bias. He rarely comments on whether a particular action was right or wrong. He just presents the facts and let them speak for themselves. One insight that reading this book has given me is how drastically the advent of television altered the landscape of American society. Television lead to the trivialization of the political process, the evolution of advertising into a cultural force, and the steady growth of consumerism. With the large exception of the nuclear bomb, television is the worst thing the 1950's handed down to us.
Rating:
Summary: marvelous storytelling
Review: Beautiful. One of the most interesting books I have ever read. Halberstam divides his chapters into two (2) parts:
1. description of a specific person (or persons) in history
2. explaining how this particular individual(s) fits into the larger patterns in history The combination is an awesome ride (or lack of better phrasing). Halmberstam's writing style flows beautifully and is easily understood. His blend of historical storytelling mixed in with biography (see above) forms a beautiful structure where each chapter can easily be taken off and read separately. Splendidly done and a -very- worthwhile read. Sparked most of my interest in history, actually.
Rating:
Summary: Stunningly comprehensive portrait of America in the 1950s
Review: This is a delightful and encyclopedic survey of the major events and personalities in the United States in the 1950s. The title is, therefore, a bit of a misnomer. The book is not about the decade on a global scale, but merely the fifties in America. Halberstam writes of the decade in a clear, fast-moving prose, and despite the books enormous bulk, is actually a remarkably fast read. Halberstam offers no explicit themes or theses, but if there is an overarching implicit theme, it is the Fifties not as a time of innocence as frequently assumed, but a time of viciousness, meanness, and loss of whatever remaining innocence American might possess. Indeed, the book ends with Eisenhower looking at Nixon and Kennedy, and exclaiming that he didn't like either of them. What THE FIFTIES primarily does is hold up a mirror to the fifties, and reflects the major events and especially the major figures of the decade. In fact, while specific events do receive attention, the book is essentially a succession of character sketches, and even the major events themselves are discussed through focusing on particular individuals. What is amazing is what a satisfactory job Halberstam does of writing about both unfamiliar and famous individuals. By and large, Halberstam deals with just about every major figure one would expect. If I had any complaints--and these would be minor--I would argue that some major art forms received almost no attention in the book. For instance, while he has a full chapter on the bestseller PEYTON PLACE and writes about pulp master Micky Spillane, there is no discussion of any major writers. Nor does he write about cinema in general (though James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Marilyn Monroe receive attention), or changes in art. Elvis Presley and Sam Phillips receive a chapter, but surprisingly little about the development of rock and roll is mentioned apart from that. I think there are two reasons for this. First, even though the text runs to around 730 excluding notes and index, a book of this scale can't deal with everything. Second, despite the books enormous scope, Halberstam isn't determined to write about every aspect of the fifties, but only on every aspect that was distinctive of the decade and made it unique in comparison to what came before and that led to what would come after. Implicit throughout the book is the question, "What made this decade unique and different?" By the end of the book, the reader will have read about Truman, Ike, Korea, Matt Ridgway, McCarthy, Elia Kazan, Orville Faubus, Holiday Inn, MacDonald's, Little Rock, Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott, the Kinsey report, the development of the Pill, Tennessee Williams, the Dulles brothers, Robert Taft, Adlai Stevenson, Jack Kerouac and the Beats, Oppenheimer and Teller and the Super, Hoover, MacArthur, Giap, Charles Van Doren and Herb Stempel, the CIA, Levittown, Francis Gary Powers, Werner von Braun, Kelly Johnson, Martin Luther King, Emmitt Till, John Chancellor, Harry Ashmore, Lucy, Milton Berle, and a vast host of other major and minor figures. I recommend this book as strongly as possible both for those who either lived through the decade or through the wake of the decade, or those who no little or nothing about it. At the end of the book, I was convinced that the Fifties was perhaps one of the two or three key decades of the century, and perhaps the decade in which the world we know now, dominated by TV, mass communication, fast food, sexuality, celebrity, massive military expenditures, computers, advertising, and technology, was born.
Rating:
Summary: Very pleased
Review: I continue to reference this book years after its initial reading. Entertaining & informative
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