Book Review: The Great Depression - a Diary by Benjamin Roth
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6601224-the-great-depression
This classic book is a precious diary (starting in 1931) of a young lawyer, Benjamin Roth, from Youngstown, Ohio. His notes provide a vivid picture into the times of the great depression and the events leading into World War II. The interesting part is that if you were to erase the dates and just read the content of many of the entries in the diary you will be shocked to find out many of the same themes you encounter today. Even more surprising is Benjamin Roth's lament of people not learning from the past mistakes of the depression of 1893 or 1873. From political polarization to real estate speculation to Wall-Street's excesses to overbuilding, you will read through some common themes that have been a landmark of human folly throughout the modern era. The diary also provides great insight into the tough daily life in America during the depression years. Whats heartening to see is that Benjamin Roth, despite being a staunch Republican and a strong believer of market forces, went canvassing regularly in his town for parts of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, for the sake of the country. This book is a must read!
This classic book is a precious diary (starting in 1931) of a young lawyer, Benjamin Roth, from Youngstown, Ohio. His notes provide a vivid picture into the times of the great depression and the events leading into World War II. The interesting part is that if you were to erase the dates and just read the content of many of the entries in the diary you will be shocked to find out many of the same themes you encounter today. Even more surprising is Benjamin Roth's lament of people not learning from the past mistakes of the depression of 1893 or 1873. From political polarization to real estate speculation to Wall-Street's excesses to overbuilding, you will read through some common themes that have been a landmark of human folly throughout the modern era. The diary also provides great insight into the tough daily life in America during the depression years. Whats heartening to see is that Benjamin Roth, despite being a staunch Republican and a strong believer of market forces, went canvassing regularly in his town for parts of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, for the sake of the country. This book is a must read!
Comments
Post a Comment