Historical Dictionary of the 1940s

The only available historical dictionary devoted exclusively to the 1940s this book offers readers a ready-reference portrait of one of the twentieth century's most tumultuous decades. In nearly 600 concise entries the volume quickly defines a historical figure institution or event and then points readers to three sources that treat the subject in depth. In selecting topics for inclusion the editors and authors offer a representative slice of life as contemporaneous Americans saw it - with coverage of people; movements; court cases; and economic social cultural political military and technological changes. The book focuses chiefly on the United States but places American lives and events firmly within a global context.