Anyone interested in the Great Depression Era

[Mamaw]

I am interested in how families managed during the great Depression era. Does anyone have any book recommendations or websites devoted to this?

[FrugalMomof3]

I would actually love to know this as well, I feel like our family is in it's own depression right now so this info., would help me out tremendously right now.

[Laurie in Bradenton]

A couple of really good books are by Rita Van Amber.
Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression of the 1930's Vol 1 &2
We'll Eat Again By Marguerite Patten (About how the depression affected England)
Dining During the Depression By Reminisce Books
The Worst Hard Time By Timothy Egan
The Dollmaker By Harriette Arnow

I've ready lots of other books on the depression and find it a very intresting time in our history. There are several books about how our depression effected countries like England and Canada. I find the ingenuity of the everyday housewife fascinating.

Laurie in Bradenton

[shadomoon]

Personally I loved the book "We had Everything, but Money"
it has some wonderful pictures and stories that take the day to day live of Americans and shows both the frustration and the hope.

[Mamaw]

I read We had everything but money and it was great. Thanks to all of you for the suggestions!

[i.m.cheap]

For children, especially girls ages 8-11, the American Girl stories about "Kit" (there are several books), give a child's eye view of the Depression.

[Persimmon Lace]

I have "When the banks closed we opened our hearts" and "We had everything but money" by the same publishers. I love both of them.

[jessicaabruno]

For children, especially girls ages 8-11, the American Girl stories about "Kit" (there are several books), give a child's eye view of the Depression.

Barb,

ITA with what Deb said to you on this. Also, recommend you check their official website out as well. Sorry for the moment I can't post the url to it and which is just American Girl.

Thank you.

[Lori Biever-Launder]

If you want a general overview to the Great Depression, I would suggest "The Dummies Guide to the Great Depression".

I would also recommend subscribing to "Good Old Days" and "Reminisce" magazines. Both are great sources of oral history!

I own nearly every book that Reiman publications has printed. They are the ones who did "When the Banks Closed..." and "We Had Everything...". Both are wonderful reads!

Also, check out the books that House of White Birches (Good Old Days publishers) did. They are great as well!

[Its_Donna]

I am interested so I just requested the "When the Banks Closed" and "We had Everything but Money" from the library.

[i.m.cheap]

This thread got me thinking about my dad, who was born in 1929 in the "Deep South". I asked him today what it was like growing up in the Depression. He said he never even had a pair of shoes until he was six years old! I had no idea.

[Mamaw]

Wow, thanks for all the recommendations! I will call the library when I get back from vacation. I find it amazing what families did to survive and how many of them found creative ways to make things work. The concept of no shoes until school age is amazing to me. My father tells me that his Dad used to set up an informal barber shop on the porch and cut all the childrens hair. In return neighbors would share their produce, eggs and the like with his family. Now most of us dont even really know many of our neighbors anymore...myself included!

[McD]

Some good fiction works around the depression era are by Sandra Dallas.

[jade73]

any infor would be great I love the post so far what is so interesting is I was born 11-17-66 my dad was born 1-11-09 my mom 11-23-23 depression babies they have passed on now but i would still like info

[Missourimom]

Wow, what an awesome list of books. Thanks for sharing everyone. I'm going to add these to my wish list at the library.