Pretty Bubbles in the Air: America in 1919

Historian Miller has written primarily a narrative social history of domestic events that immediately preceded the end of World War I; it is also an intellectual history. Using a line from the popular song of the day, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," Miller views 1919 as a watershed year in which traditional American values began to drift slowly out of reach like bubbles in the air. The country was in an ebullient mood and seemingly secure in 1919, but new modes of life, especially the rapid development of machine technology and the rise of the mass production/consumption society, foretold the end of an era. Traditional values began to give way to a new universe where randomness and relativeness predominated. In a clear style Miller captures the essence of this transitional year in 22 short chapters. A brief annotated bibliography of sources and suggested further readings appear at the end of each chapter. A provocative work that is suitable for both general readers and scholars.- Charles C. Hay III, Eastern Kentucky Univ. Ar chives, RichmondCopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.