1920

The Year That Made the Decade Roar

By: Eric Burns

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

One of the most dynamic eras in American history, the 1920s began with a watershed year that would set the tone for the century to follow.

The Roaring Twenties is the only decade in American history with a widely applied nickname, and our collective fascination with this era continues. But how did this surge of innovation and cultural milestones emerge out of the ashes of World War I?

Acclaimed author Eric Burns investigates the year 1920, which was not only a crucial 12-month period of its own but one that foretold the future. The year 1920 foreshadowed the rest of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st, whether it was Sacco and Vanzetti or the stock market crash that brought this era to a close.

Burns sets the record straight about this most misunderstood and iconic of periods. Despite being the first full year of armistice, 1920 was not a peaceful period - it contained the greatest act of terrorism in American history to that time. And while 1920 is thought of as the beginning of a prosperous era, for most people life had never been more unaffordable. Meanwhile, African Americans were putting their stamp on culture. And though people today imagine the frivolous image of the flapper dancing the night away, the truth was that a new kind of power had been bestowed on women, and it had nothing to do with the dance floor.

From prohibition to immigration, the birth of jazz, the rise of expatriate literature, and the original Ponzi scheme, 1920 was truly a year like no other.

©2015 Eric Burns (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Excellent

A highly informative, educational, and entertaining book. The narrator, Christopher Lane, is outstanding; one of the very best, in my experience.

Overview history

Basically a high school textbook built on other’s more original research Mentions and credits such authors in the text.

1920——wow!

Very interesting and informative story. I had no idea what a pivotal year 1920 was! Long read but well worth the time.

You want to know this story.

I like history. I thought I knew it. Listening to this book opened my mind up to things about 1920 I never knew. President Harding was quite an interesting man…

An amazing time in history told in a captivating way.

So well written. I will read ( listen) to all his books. Well researched and superbly written.

Interesting, but an anti-capitalist propaganda piece

There is some interesting history in this book. But like so much academia today, it is mostly a thinly veiled rant against capitalism and Western Civilization. From this book, you would come to the conclusion that all 1920 capitalists were bad, and all moralists were evil. But Margaret Sanger, she’s just a gift from the non-existent gods, praise be to her name.

Packed with history of beginnings

Learned a lot enjoyably. Focus on the year before the "roaring" began and the story behind the great and notable.

Astounding 1920

I had no idea so many things began or finds their roots in a single year! Definitely worth the listen!

Fantastic book about 1920 + more

I mistakenly thought this book was about the 1920s — as in the decade. While it did mention the years before and a few after to round out the story, it was mostly centered on all the events that happened in 1920. The narrator was fantastic. I usually listen in 30-40 minute spurts during my more walk. I learned so much!

accurate and informative

Very well worth for anyone interested in this time period of the United States.