Postwar America: A Student Companion (Student Companions to American History)

The halfcentury since the end of World War II has been crucial in defining Americas image of itself and role in the world. A thorough survey of an era dominated by the cold war on the international front and conflicting social forces at home, this authoritative reference volume details every aspect of a turbulent age. It features:Brief biographical vignettes of notable political and civil leaders, from Eleanor Roosevelt to Newt GingrichInsightful portraits of prominent cultural icons, from Allen Ginsburg and Elvis to Billy Graham and Jackie RobinsonInformative analyses of major political events, from the Yalta Conference and the Cuban Missile Crisis to WatergateBrief histories of pivotal armed conflicts, from the Korean War and the invasion of Lebanon to the Persian Gulf WarArticles on social and cultural milestones, from Woodstock to suburban migration to the World Wide WebSummaries of such crucial documents as the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and the Equal Rights AmendmentDescriptions of groundbreaking legal cases, such as Roe v. Wade, Miranda v. Arizona, and Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KansasProfiles of major civil rights movements, such as black nationalism and feminismExplanations of political and social concepts, such as affirmative action, consumer culture, and McCarthyismAuthoritative accounts of momentous episodes spurred by social protest, such as the Montgomery bus boycott and the Kent State University shootingsFurther reading lists and crossreferences following each entryA detailed chronologyThe issues that united and divided Americans during the second half of the centurythe civil rights movement, the Vietnam war, the cold warare discussed in lively, objective articles which breathe life into the events and people that have shaped our nation. More than 200 illustrations, including photographs, posters, and ephemera such as political campaign buttons, make Postwar America: A Student Companion an excellent introductory resource for students and all readers interested in modern history.Oxfords Student Companions to American History are stateoftheart references for school and home, specifically designed and written for ages 12 and up. Each book is a concise but comprehensive AtoZ guide to a major historical period or theme in U.S. history, with articles on key issues and prominent individuals. The authorsdistinguished scholars wellknown in their areas of expertiseensure that the entries are accurate, uptodate, and accessible. Special features include an introductory section on how to use the book, further reading lists, crossreferences, chronology, and full index.