The Great Depression was arguably one of the most harrowing points of American history. Learning about such a crisis can shed light on future economic problems and ensure that we don't make the same mistakes again. There is much to learn from this historical period and how it has shaped the world and left its mark.
To learn more about this era, we have compiled a list of our top 10 best books regarding the Great Depression. Start with our number one book, The Great Depression by Robert S. McElvaine. This entry point lays out the economic struggles leading up to the Great Depression and includes personal accounts of the people who have been most affected by the crisis. Read on to see our other top picks and learn how to choose the right book for you!
Here are our top picks for books on the Great Depression, including academic accounts, survival memoirs, and more!
$15.89
Publication year | 1993 |
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Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, eBook |
Page count | 448 |
eBook price | $9.99 |
$13.89
Publication year | 1986 |
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Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook |
Page count | 400 |
eBook price | $2.99 |
$11.96
Publication year | 2001 |
---|---|
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook |
Page count | 936 |
eBook price | $12.73 |
$18.19
Publication year | 2009 |
---|---|
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook |
Page count | 576 |
eBook price | $13.99 |
$14.69
Publication year | 2005 |
---|---|
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, eBook |
Page count | 480 |
eBook price | $9.99 |
$13.19
Publication year | 2009 |
---|---|
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook |
Page count | 224 |
eBook price | $9.99 |
$12.65
Publication year | 2006 |
---|---|
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook |
Page count | 340 |
eBook price | $9.99 |
$14.95
Publication year | 2008 |
---|---|
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook |
Page count | 496 |
eBook price | $7.49 |
$19.50
Publication year | 2014 |
---|---|
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, eBook |
Page count | 714 |
eBook price | $10.44 |
$14.95
Publication year | 2008 |
---|---|
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook |
Page count | 292 |
eBook price | $12.99 |
Image | 1 ![]() Robert S. McElvaine | 2 ![]() Frederick Lewis Allen | 3 ![]() David M. Kennedy | 4 ![]() Liaquat Ahamed | 5 ![]() Studs Terkel | 6 ![]() John Kenneth Galbraith | 7 ![]() Timothy Egan | 8 ![]() Amity Shlaes | 9 ![]() Gordon Thomas, Max Morgan-Witts | 10 ![]() Mildred Armstrong Kalish |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | The Great Depression | Since Yesterday | Freedom from Fear | Lords of Finance | Hard Times | The Great Crash 1929 | The Worst Hard Time | The Forgotten Man | The Day the Bubble Burst | Little Heathens |
Features | A Reliable Study of the Great Depression Years | An Examination of the Critical Years of the Great Depression | An Account of Two Tragedies | An In-Depth Look at Financial Decisions | A Compilation of the Survivors' Experiences | An Entertaining Economic Perspective | Surviving the Years of the Dust Bowl | A Reinterpretation of the Great Depression | The Days That Led Up to the Great Depression | A Heartwarming Tale During the Era of the Great Depression |
Price | $15.89 | $13.89 | $11.96 | $18.19 | $14.69 | $13.19 | $12.65 | $14.95 | $19.50 | $14.95 |
Publication year | 1993 | 1986 | 2001 | 2009 | 2005 | 2009 | 2006 | 2008 | 2014 | 2008 |
Available formats | Hardcover, paperback, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, eBook | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, eBook |
Page count | 448 | 400 | 936 | 576 | 480 | 224 | 340 | 496 | 714 | 292 |
eBook price | $9.99 | $2.99 | $12.73 | $13.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 | $7.49 | $10.44 | $12.99 |
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Several key events occurred during the Great Depression years, and it may be overwhelming to try to select the right book on the topic. The following tips will help narrow down your search for the right book to read up on to learn more about the economic tragedy.
During the years of the Great Depression, there were various events that contributed to the economic decline. Choosing the right book depends if you are looking for a general history or an event-specific book.
Some books describe the events that led up to the Great Depression, what happened during it, and the final years of its resolution. These books may offer timelines that let you get an overview of the entire period. This can be handy if you want to learn about the general history of the Great Depression.
On the other hand, this type of book may skip over some of the nuances and fine details that had pivotal effects during these years. And if you already have a good grasp of the situation, you might want to look for a more detailed read.
Some books discuss the stock market crash of 1929 in-depth. They study the mistakes made by the populace, investors, banks, and other players on the market in the 1920s. They examine the various problems which arose from poor finance management choices. These books are good for readers who are interested in global economics.
Other books examine the Hoover Administration. They break down the political decisions during the administration and expound on which policies were for the detriment or the betterment of those years. They are for readers who would like to closely examine the political decisions of that time.
The Dust Bowl is another topic that comes up in many books. There’s no denying that the severe drought and dust storms contributed greatly to the economic downward spiral at that time. These books discuss the effects of the "Dirty Thirties" and their long-lasting impact on the American economy.
Some books discuss how the dark years gradually improved and the economy was able to get back on its feet. Other books talk about the lasting impact the Great Depression has made on the entire world.
Books like these use this era as a point of comparison to discuss the current global economic crisis. The lasting impression of the Great Depression is undeniable and has since been a learning experience for everyone involved.
There are various sources of information regarding the Great Depression. Some authors study the event and give their scholarly input. Other books are not written by academics but rather by the survivors who give their testimonies about the hard times. Both kinds of books are valuable sources of information.
Some books are written by economists and give an analysis of how the economy and stock market fluctuated. They explain, from an economist's point of view, how one bad financial decision led to another which snowballed into the Great Depression.
Others discuss the Great Depression from a political point of view, focusing on the presidential administration of that time. There is a lot of academic writing on the topic, so keep that in mind.
Personal accounts come from men and women of that time who were greatly affected by the economic climate. These are for readers who would like to look into firsthand accounts of what it was like at that point in history.
This type of book can make for a more emotional and engaging reading experience, allowing you to understand the economical crisis on a personal level.
Several literary masterpieces were published during the years of the Great Depression. Literature flourished at such a time because the works of fiction mirrored what was happening in reality. Including John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, and Margaret Mitchell, the years of the Great Depression introduced a lot of great works of fiction.
It was in literature that readers found solace and validation for their anxiety and fear. These works are noteworthy as they were written by authors who experienced the hardships firsthand and they will give you an idea of how things were like back then.
One such website is librarything.com, one of the oldest and largest reading communities online. It provides discussions that are worth looking into when finding the right read. It also provides insights into readers' impressions and it will give you a better grasp of the contents of books.
Another popular website is goodreads.com, which hosts community reviews and recommendations as well as custom lists for any topic you can imagine.
Lastly, Literary Hub is a great website that publishes articles about books regularly. It includes recommendations on books on specific topics. It also publishes interviews with authors, which can be useful when seeking out more information on books to read.
Learn more about the many facets of American History from our other articles. Check out our recommendations below!
The years of the Great Depression definitely impacted a significant amount of people. Its scars are still visible in the generations that came after. There is no doubt that we must learn from our mistakes in the past to ensure a better future.
There are many books available which we can use to look into the past. Learning about history is always interesting as you can see it from different perspectives, from academic studies to personal accounts. History is always rich in life lessons and heartfelt stories.
Author: Samantha Isabela Castro
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