Only Yesterday by Frederick Lewis Allen

Libraries, USA

Written while the ashes of the 1929 crash still smoldered, Allen's spot on history of the 1920s identified the new cultural trends that would shape the US from then to now. He zeroes in on the rise of advertising and the consumer culture, emergence of mass media, the changing roles of religion and science, changing sex roles and mores, and even the birth of America's obsession with sports and celebrity.

The book even got the history and economics parts right, something almost impossible so near to the events. It is still relevant and readable, which is why it has been in print for 8 decades.

Only Yesterday would be an excellent choice as it explained 80 years ago the roots of who and what we as Americans embrace as icons today.

Larry