Description
Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression by Studs Terkel
Publisher: Pantheon Books, 1970
Edition: First edition
Binding: Hardcover with dust jacket, now protected in Brodart archival covering
Condition: Near fine in near fine jacket; light edge wear professionally repaired with Filmoplast
Studs Terkel’s Hard Times is a landmark work of oral history and one of the most important books ever written about the Great Depression. First published in 1970, it weaves together the voices of everyday Americans—laborers, business owners, hoboes, politicians, and dreamers—into a vivid, unforgettable portrait of a nation in crisis.
Rather than a conventional history, Terkel lets people speak for themselves. Their firsthand memories of fear, resilience, injustice, and unexpected kindness transform the statistics of the 1930s into human stories. The result is a powerful, deeply moving chronicle that still resonates in times of economic uncertainty.
Why This Copy is Special
- True first edition of a modern classic of American social history.
- Near fine dust jacket with only the lightest edge wear, carefully reinforced with professional Filmoplast for stability.
- Brodart archival cover added to protect the jacket and preserve the book for future generations.
- Clean, tight interior—no remainder marks, highlighting, or intrusive ownership markings noted.
This is an excellent choice for collectors of modern first editions, labor and social history, New Deal–era studies, or anyone who loves narrative nonfiction that gives ordinary people their say. It also makes a meaningful gift for writers, historians, and readers who appreciate books that changed how we remember the past.
Deb’s note: Copies of Hard Times often turn up with heavy wear or tired jackets. This one has been given a bit of extra care—professionally repaired and wrapped—so it can keep telling its stories for many years to come.
