Pulitzer Prize History Winner
Freedom From Fear: The American People in Depression and War
by David M. Kennedy
Summary
Kennedy traces the United States through two defining ordeals, the Great Depression and the Second World War, showing how economic collapse and global conflict reshaped American life. He weaves political decisions, New Deal policy, and the experiences of ordinary citizens into a single sweeping narrative. The book matters because it explains how the nation built lasting institutions and emerged as a global power.
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Historical Context & Significance
The book formed part of the Oxford History of the United States series and earned David M. Kennedy the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for History.