Customer Reviews
History repeats itself - By: jannert, 03 Nov 2008 
Years ago, I read this book about the Great Depression as 'oral history.' I've just re-read it during October, 2008 and, believe me, it now resonatesin a completely different way.
"Today (1970s), if you want to buy $100 worth of stock, you have to put up $80 & the broker will put up $20. In those days (just before the stock market crashin 1929) you could put up just $8 or $10. That was really responsible for the collapse. The slightest shake-up caused calamity because people didn't have the money required to cover the other $90 or so."
"It was a mad dream of get-rich-quick."
Credit crunch? Nothing new, then. Back then, as now, ordinary people tried to live way above their means, assuming the good-times bubble would never burst.
And then, as now--it did.
When Mr Terkel compiled these interviews backin 1970, most of the interviewees were assuming a crash wouldn't happen again. It might not have done, if the financial controls over lending practices begun during Roosevelt's administration had not been removed by Bill Clinton during his term as president ...and enthusiastically endorsed by the Republicans ever since.
It's also interesting to read about Roosevelt's New Deal solution, & compare it to Gordon Brown's present plan to 'spend' the UK out of recession. Essentially the same idea. Perhaps the Prime Minister has read Studs Terkel? Whether the same kind of plan will work once again remains to be seen.
This is a fascinating book, with much to tell us about our own time, as well as 'what happened then.' Furthermore, it's writtenin a lively, accessible manner, with individual voices captured clearly & unambiguously.
These are people found on streets &in offices of cities & small-town USA alike, from various professions, people who servedin the Depression-Era government, from the unemployed, from miners, farmers, from left & right-wing organisations, from black folk & white folk, men, women, students, singers, artists, teachers, lawyers, economists, stockbrokers & journalists, preachers & corporate executives. Some interviewees are famous--Myrna Loy, Alf Landon, Cesar Chavez, Country Joe McDonald--others obscure or simply forgottenin a later era. Many had lived through the Depression themselves, a few were born later, but all were willing to talk about the Great Depression with Mr Terkel.
As oral history of a specific time & place, Hard Times can't be faulted. As a reflection upon our present financial crisis, it's incredibly instructive. It's a must-read.
Hard Times is a delightfully entertaining book - By: , 25 Apr 1999 
I had to read Studs Terkel's "Hard Times" for school. At first it seemed confusing & long b/c there where no main characters & it was 462 pages. I was surprised to sincerely enjoy it. It was a captivating book with many fascinating stories. I liked the way the book shows you all aspects of the Depression from people with all different lifestyles.
Studs Hit It Again in Nostalgia - By: , 05 Nov 1998 I like Studs, he is great. This book is a lot like others of his wherein he takes a taperecorder & asks people questions & then makes a book of it. The best part is that Studs knows a lot of people & so he can call up & ask a lot of questions. Whatever, you will enjoy this book, & order it from Amazon.com where you will get the best price unless you find itin the garbage bin.
