The 1950s American Home (Shire Library USA)

The text and photos in this book are wonderful. It is not a complete history of the period, but Boucher knows her subject and has a captivating writing style that works particularly well for this overview. Although brief, the book still covers many interesting aspects of the era. However, the format for the print version is terrible--note the tiny dimensions. Why it couldn't have been printed in a normal size is mystifying. British publisher--cheap production--too bad, this work deserves better. Best bet for this one would be Kindle where the pictures and text can be made normal size.

At 64 pages, this book would fit in the envelope of many greeting cards. Divided into five parts, it is pleasantly written, touching on 1950's American culture and style while exploring the houses people lived in then.The book is appropriately suited for middle schoolers who would almost certainly profit from reading it. For those older, the book would read a bit like a college sophomore term paper with photos attached. I would class it as a very good term paper, of course, if that is the level of scholarship you have in mind.A nice little book for junior high students, but more of a pamphlet for adults.

This is a slim little book but I consider it to be packed with information. There are lots of great color photos and illustrations, and the list of references used include websites and other great resources; this book was obviously well-researched. If you want a really in-depth look at the 1950s, go with the monumental  The Fifties , but if you are just looking for a fun supplement or an introduction to 1950s lifestyles, this book will suit you just fine.

A great little book. I am addicted to the 1950s and this book was a great little read. Smaller than expected, but still worth it.

A bit small, expected a bit more visual impact, but still a fun reference booklet.

This book was very informative on life in the Suburbs. The photos that were included gave you a good idea as to what it was like living in the 50s!

Very disappointing. I would have returned it, except it's my bad because I didn't read the product details carefully before I ordered, which state its tiny booklet-size dimensions and only 64 pages. Had I noticed that, I would never have ordered. It's like a mediocre magazine article on tiny paper, only with such small print that anyone over 40 may have trouble reading it- and it's a mere overview. Pictures and illustrations are also very small. Don't bother.

I enjoyed this book but wish there had been more information and pictures. I would have been willing to pay more for a bigger book. As it is, it has enough to start research on the architecture and fads in furnishing from the 50's.

Of course this subject has been covered many times, in larger books. (sometimes lumbering and over worded) I've read a lot of them, or tried at least. What is nice is the 'Shire' format. In the UK, they have always been nice, easy read, up to 64 page books written by independent folks, expert in their own field. I have dozens and dozens. The content in this one has a nice 'dab' of each area, housing, houses, life style and accessories, if that makes sense.Regarding the Levitt housing, I feared Diane would miss out on an important bit of American history, continued racism. Indeed, no mention that the 'GI bill' excluded Black servicemen from jumping up the housing list, as white servicemen did. Far into the book, at page 55 actually, in the Chapter 'Good Life', Diane tells us that as late as 1960, in Long Island Levittown, of the 82,000 inhabitants, not one was black. Levitt originally refusing to sell or rent to black families. Quite awful.Do I like the book? Yes. It is comprehensive, and comfortable. Living in the UK, I wrongly just assumed Levitt housing was all ET type estates, with wide streets and identical houses. Indeed, other books have intimated this by their not mentioning anything else. Dianne's chapter on Architectural designs addresses this well.I feel, and I am British after all and we had a much different Post War, that I'm making headway in understanding Post War life and design in the USA. Levitt, Eames, Ranch houses and low slung furniture all had their place. I'm spurred on, and looking again at the Shire USA books, thank you Diane.

Generally interesting with fascinating photos. However, much of was a rehash of earlier social histories of the suburbs. The section On architects was probably the most enlightening for me personally.