'The Fifties'

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer looks at David Halberstam's book 'The Fifties'. The writer discusses this book as an insightful, realistic and entertaining look at the decade of the 1950s. The writer examines how Halberstam then goes on to describe all the types of social change occurring and all the events creating change. The writer notes that Halberstam combines all of these subjects into a thorough treatment that allows the reader to understand the changes taking place during the decade, while also gaining insight into major events and being entertained and educated about this important time in history. The writer concludes by mentioning that the positive features of the book combine to offer a read that is insightful, informative, engaging, and entertaining.

From the Paper:

"One of the positive points about the book is that Halberstam does not offer an opinion on the events he is describing. In this way, it is not a book written to make any particular point or to argue on any of the issues described. Instead, it is an unbiased overview of the whole range of events that occurred during the decade. This makes the book one of relating historical events, rather than debating the meaning of those events. Considering the kinds of events described, it is fairly impressive that Halberstam manages to remain impartial throughout the book. It would have been easy for a lesser writer to include in the book their opinion on events like the development of the pill, the development of nuclear weapons, race integration in schools, or race relations and the impact of Martin Luther King. Instead, Halberstam always remains impartial and allows the reader to draw their own conclusions."

More papers on 'The Fifties' :

• Analytical Essay # 9255 : "The Fifties" by David Halberstam"
• Book Review # 49515 : "The Fifties"
• Book Review # 1281 : "'The Fifties Woman' in Vonnegut's "Player Piano"

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