Nothin' but blue skies
Subtitle: the heyday, hard times, and hopes of America's industrial heartland
By: Edward McClelland
Edition: 1st U.S. ed.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Press
Published: 2013
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 343
ISBN-13: 9781608195299
Subjects: Industries; Politics and government; Economic conditions; Social change; Working class
Other titles: Nothing but blue skies
Description: "The Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region became the "arsenal of democracy"-the greatest manufacturing center in the world-in the years during and after World War II, thanks to natural advantages and a welcoming culture. Decades of unprecedented prosperity followed, memorably punctuated by riots, strikes, burning rivers, and oil embargoes. A vibrant, quintessentially American character bloomed in the region's cities, suburbs, and backwaters. But the innovation and industry that defined the Rust Belt also helped to hasten its demise. An air conditioner invented in Upstate New York transformed the South from a sweaty backwoods to a non-unionized industrial competitor. Japan and Germany recovered from their defeat to build fuel-efficient cars in the stagnant 1970s. The tentpole factories that paid workers so well also filled the air with soot, and poisoned waters and soil. The jobs drifted elsewhere, and many of the people soon followed suit. Nothin' but Blue Skies tells the story of how the country's industrial heartland grew, boomed, bottomed, and hopes to be reborn. Through a propulsive blend of storytelling and reportage, celebrated writer Edward McClelland delivers the rise, fall, and revival of the Rust Belt and its people."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 329-332) and index.
Table of contents: title: Gus's Bar; title: The sit-down striker; title: The arsenal of democracy; title: The Motor City is burning; title: Burn on, big river; title: I'm a Flintoid; title: "A rust bowl"; title: Homestead; title: New Jack cities; title: The smell of money; title: "We're all going to end up in Chicago"; title: "Nature always bats last"; title: Lackawanna blues; title: The second great recession; title: The corner of Palmer and Jesus saves; title: Flintstones; title: "This is not your father's Oldsmobile."