Diners, Bowling Alleys, and Trailer Parks: Chasing the American Dream in Postwar Consumer Culture

The years immediately following the Second World War witnessed a dramatic transformation of America's working-class suburbs, driven by an unprecedented post-war prosperity and a burgeoning consumer culture. Chrome and neon were the new currency in this newly vital consumer culture, and no post-war consumer products trafficked more heavily in this currency than diners, bowling alleys, and trailer parks. Through these three distinctively American institutions, Andrew Hurley examines the struggle of Americans with modest means to attain the good life after two long decades of depression and war. He tells this story of the humble origins, explosive growth, and gradual, sad decline of the diner, bowling alley, and trailer park in expert fashion. This is cultural and social history that knows how to entertain.

Author: Andrew Hurley
Publisher: Basic Books
Published: 02/01/2002
Pages: 432
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.02lbs
Size: 8.06h x 5.00w x 1.05d
ISBN: 9780465031870

About the Author
Andrew Hurley is Associate Professor of History at the University of Missouri. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.