As may writes in the introduction, the couple epitomizes the image of the postwar family as isolated, sexually charged, elaine tyler may opened her book, homeward bound. American families in the cold war and coming of age in mississippi by ann moody see the institution of the family as something that was a mixture of limiting and liberating influences both for men and women. Homeward bound is elaine tyler mays attempt to explain this sociological phenomenon by linking it to international politics. This statement is not completely borne out by the rest of the book. Uncovering startling connections between politics and family. The title of this book is homeward bound and it was written by elaine tyler may.
Elaine tyler may demonstrated that the atomic age and the cold war shaped. Elaine tyler mays homeward bound weaves two traditional narratives of the fifties suburban domesticity and rampant anticommunism into one compelling historical argument. When homeward bound first appeared in 1988, it forever changed how we understand cold war america. It is a great irony that in an era of international tension that found its greatest symbol in young schoolchildren crouched, hands behind heads, in. Elaine tyler may demonstrated that the atomic age and the cold war shaped american life not just in national politics, but at every level of society, from the boardroom to.
According to a segment in the book homeward bound by elaine tyler may, science was changing the world. American families in the cold war era by may, elaine tyler abebooks. A sociological examination of the home life of the 1950s as a reflection of cold war imperatives. Her notion of domestic containment is now the standard interpretation of the era, and homeward bound has become a classic. Essay about elaine tyler mays homeward bound 1175 words. Elaine tyler may when homeward bound first appeared in 1988, it altered the way we understood cold war america. Focusing on families and family dynamics the baby boom, womens role in the family etc. The return of the king book vi, chapters 67 hobbit quietly aside, assuring him that in time he himself will visit the shire, and he will bring bilbo with him. Elaine tyler may demonstrated that the atomic age and the cold war shaped american life not just in national politics, but at every level of society, from the boardroom to the bedroom. When homeward bound first appeared in 1988, it forever changed how we.
The fundament question in the book is why the postwar americans turned to marriage and parenthood with such a great enthusiasm and. Elaine tyler may traces the rise of a powerful ideology of domesticity and the home in the postwar years that was directly linked to the geopolitical ideology of the cold war. What inspired so much conformity in the postwar years. Elaine tyler may s homeward bound weaves two traditional narratives of the fifties suburban domesticity and rampant anticommunism into one compelling historical argument. Elaine tyler may is the regents professor in the departments of american studies and history at the university of minnesota. I have a 4 page book reveiw due on thursday on the book homeward bound. A young couple, recently married, chooses to spend their honeymoon in a bomb shelter. The postworld war ii era was thought of as a time when americans turned away from politics to enjoy the fruits of peace and prosperity, while their leaders remained preoccupied with the dangers of the atomic age. A revised edition of the classic, mythshattering exploration of american family life during the cold war.
American families in the cold war era by may, elaine tyler and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. I have a 4 page book reveiw due on thursday on the book. Reviewed by in her book, elaine tyler may begins by describing a life magazine feature involving a couple in 1959 who spent their honeymoon in a bomb shelter. Homeward bound challenges cherished assumptions about the happy days of the 1950s, and offers new answers to questions that still surround the era.
Elaine tyler may in the 1950s, the term containment referred to the foreign policydriven containment of communism and atomic proliferation. The aim of mays study is to trace the links between cold war politics and the domestic lives of everyday american families. Radio was the primary broadcast that presented news, voice over shows, genre of many stories that american families would hear. According to tyler may, it was the cold war that provided the impetus. Elaine tyler may demonstrated that the atomic age and the cold war shaped american life not just in national politics but at every level of society, from the boardroom to the bedroom.
Aiming to ascertain why, unlike both their parents and children. American families in the cold war era by elaine tyler may. The former president of the american studies association and. In her introduction, elaine tyler may states that the focus of homeward bound is the impact of public policy and political ideology on private life, and her story is of how americans began to view the family as psychological fortress to protect them against internal decay 1011. American families in the cold war era elaine tyler may basic books new york 1988. This new edition includes uptodate information and references throughout, with an epilogue that examines the legacy of the cold war since september 11th, 2001jacket. This new edition includes uptodate information and references, along with an epilogue that examines how the legacy of the cold war has shaped america. May portrays the idea that the nuclear family structure was a way to amplify resistance against communism.
American families in the cold war era, with a description of a 1959 publicity stunt. American families in the cold war era is a groundbreaking piece of historical and cultural analysis that uses its findings to build a strong argument for its authors view of the course of modern us history. Elaine tyler may is the author of homeward bound 3. Americans embraced domesticity during the early years of the cold war because the home seemed to offer a secure private nest removed from the. American families in the cold war era by elaine tyler may online at alibris. By connecting the bomb and the bedroom, the fallout shelter and the nuclear family, may links the personal with the political on profound new levels. Yet in homeward bound may demonstrates that there was also a domestic. The former president of the american studies association and the organization of american. Elaine tyler may demonstrated that the atomic age and the cold war. It was published by basic books and has a total of 288 pages in the book. May lays out gender relationships since the depression and carefully analyzes and explains the connection between national security and home in the context of the cold war. Elaine tyler may aims to illustrate the connection between foreign and political policy and family dynamics during the post war and cold war eras. Satisfaction guaranteed all previously owned items are guaranteed to be in good condition. May argues for the centrality of containment in linking both ideologies.
Elaine tyler mays homeward bound is a revelatory and pathbreaking work, a brilliant excavation of the gender bedrock beneath the surreal landscape of cold war american life. The fundament question in the book is why the postwar americans turned to marriage and parenthood with such a great enthusiasm and commitment. First published in 1988, homeward bound is an important cultural study focusing on family and the baby boom phenomenon after wwii. In homeward bound, noted historian elaine tyler may uncovers startling connections between the cold war and family life, challenging assumptions of the happy days of the 1950s.
Surrounded by consumer goods, the couple enters the bomb shelter for two weeks and will have nothing more for. The former president of the american studies association and the. Homeward bound by elaine tyler may overdrive rakuten. American families in the cold war era book by elaine tyler may elaine tyler may book is an attempt to draw the link between the international politics and the family dynamics in the post war and cold war eras. American families in the cold war era has 2 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Beth bailey, author of sex in the heartland particularly refreshing is mays superb use of. For part of the class, you have to do a nonfiction book report, from a set list, and i chose homeward bound by elaine tyler may for well, the reason above. During this time, america was transitioning from radio to television. Why did the youth of the sixties rebel against the values they inherited.
Elaine tyler may demonstrated that the cold war infused life on every level from the boardroom to the bedroom. She is the author books including america and the pill, homeward bound, and barren in the promised land, which received honorable mention for the william j. Uncovering startling connections between politics and family life, elaine tyler may. Marriage and divorce in postvictorian america 1980. Brittany oneill may paper elaine tyler takes a social examination on the war against communism in the book, homeward bound. If you are not satisfied with your order, just contact us and we will address any issue.
1342 211 1253 1398 1390 1493 627 1516 889 430 407 341 552 1300 1565 1291 234 1399 665 398 975 587 642 477 1338 756 203 841 1384 1185 357