Freedom from Fear

The American People in Depression and War, 1929–1945

By: David M. Kennedy

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 31 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Between 1929 and 1945, two great travails were visited upon the American people: the Great Depression and World War II. This Pulitzer Prize-winning history tells the story of how Americans endured, and eventually prevailed, in the face of those unprecedented calamities.

The Depression was both a disaster and an opportunity. As David Kennedy vividly demonstrates, the economic crisis of the 1930s was far more than a simple reaction to the alleged excesses of the 1920s. For more than a century before 1929, America's unbridled industrial revolution had gyrated through repeated boom-and-bust cycles, wastefully consuming capital and inflicting untold misery on city and countryside alike.

Freedom from Fear explores how the nation agonized over its role in World War II, how it fought the war, why the United States won, and why the consequences of victory were sometimes sweet, sometimes ironic. In a compelling narrative, Kennedy analyzes the determinants of American strategy, the painful choices faced by commanders and statesmen, and the agonies inflicted on the millions of ordinary Americans who were compelled to swallow their fears and face battle as best they could.

Both comprehensive and colorful, this account of the most convulsive period in American history, excepting only the Civil War, reveals a period that formed the crucible in which modern America was formed.

Please note: The individual volumes of the series have not been published in historical order. Freedom from Fear is number IX in The Oxford History of the United States.

Listen to more of the definitive Oxford History of the United States.

©1999 Oxford University Press, Inc. (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Pulitzer Prize, History, 2000

“An engrossing narrative of a momentous time.” (New York Times Book Review)

“This is the kind of book prizes are made for.” ( Chicago Tribune)

“[Traces] the American people through three of the most important and widely written about epochs in the century…and provides us with consistently original and sometimes startling conclusions.” ( Washington Post)

Well Worth the Credit and the Time!

I started exploring WWII on Audible with Herman Wouk's "The Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance". I loved both, but I was left wondering "How much is true?" and "What is historically accurate?" An afterword in "War and Remembrance" assured me that the basic history was true, but I wasn't sure how much.

"Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War 1929-1945" answers my questions, from the American perspective: although the characters were fictional, the places and facts were true.

That's not to say that David M. Kennedy needs any assistance from the very capable Herman Wouk - he doesn't. Mr. Kennedy delves into a 16 year period that changed the United States in a crucial way. That period is only equalled by the American Revolution and the Civil War. In each case, the outcome determined the path of a nation.

Kennedy's description of macroeconomics (the economic relationship between nations) is especially adept. The exploration of the measures taken to relieve the dire economic straights the US was in at the time is clear. I can't say it was concise, because the actions themselves were not concise. "The New Deal" was a brave plan, but sub\bject to extensive political wrangling that finally collapsed during WWII.

I also found the discussion of the use of nuclear bombs against Japan fascinating. Having read John Hersey's "Hiroshima" more than a quarter century ago, I had longed believed that the Enola Gay's successful mission was as inexplicable as it was inexcusable. The use of such a horrific weapon is, after its use, grotesque and cruel - but not there was a reason for it.

I definitely recommend this book.

I have one criticism of the performance, and it's one I've never had of an Audible book before. The narration was faster than any other book I've listened to, and I would have like to have it about 15% slower. Of course, that would have made a 31 hour book into a 37 hour book.

very informative.

I learned things I never knew about the depression and the war. well presented and readily understood.

Fredom From Fear

I nearly gave up on this book at the start but I am happy I stuck it out. One of the best books I have listened too in quite some time. Excellent summary of lots of general information so you can dive off on those items that interest you more. The narration was well done and an easy listen. Wee worth the time.

Imperative American History

This book offerers and excellent overview of American History before and up to the end of WWII. Detailed, factual, and unbiased this record must be taught and read by those hoping for a New tomorrow in today’s America. Lean what really happened to cause the Great Depression, what the New Deal was and was not, and how the war changed the American landscape. If Americans are seeking a New-New Deal, let them understand the original one, first.

The book is long and unless one is highly interested in the subject may be a difficult listen. However, the audio version is appreciated in order to get through such a lengthy volume.

Stellar volume

I highly encourage you to enjoy this reading of an extremely well written tome on a critical period in our nation’s history.

One of the great audio books.

This is a long book with massive details. I listened to the audio performance as I read along in the book. The reader captured and maintained my attention. There are parts I will need to review as I was distracted. But I appreciate the information that was included in this book.

Fascinating, history of Americe 1919-1945

Would you listen to Freedom from Fear again? Why?

Yes, because there is so much detail it will bear a second listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the dominant politician of that era.

Which character – as performed by Tom Weiner – was your favorite?

See above

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It is history

Any additional comments?

This ia an excellent volume of the Oxford History of the United States.

Powerful insights

Kennedy' well-researched work on the American people from onset of the Great Depression through the end of World War II provides uniquely powerful insights into who we are as a nation. The saga reveals the multitude of powerful political forces resident in American society as they interacted over the course of arguably the most formative national experience since the Civil War. A must read for anyone serious about understanding modern America.

My only critical comment is Kennedy's excessive use of metaphors. His attempt to creatively communicate complex ideas with extended metaphors bordered on comical at times.

Demur v. Demure

I’ve long appreciated 20th century US history, but this book made me realize there’s a story arc I’d previously seen only as vignettes. This book does an amazing job explaining the nuances of the New Deal, how we ended up in two wars at once, and how the US and world were changed by early 20th century developments.

This book puts all this in clear context in a delightfully engaging and literate way. Simply put, I didn’t want this book to end.

Narrator was compelling, but I found his word mispronunciation distracting.

An amazing achievement

This is an impressive work of scholarship, ranging across many different facets of the Depression and World War II and doing it so well that it is easy to see why it won the Pulitzer. I learned so much about the roots of our own time that I want to order the hard copy and reread substantial sections to reflect more on what Kennedy has to say. And Tom Weiner's reading is perfect.