Studs Terkel's Hard Times masterfully captures the human experience of the Great Depression through compelling oral histories. Critics praise its depth and emotional resonance, while some find its episodic nature lacks cohesion. Overall, Terkel's vivid portrayal of resilience and hardship is both enlightening and moving.

Readers who would enjoy Hard Times by Studs Terkel are history enthusiasts and fans of oral histories. They appreciate firsthand accounts of societal struggles. Comparable books include The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee, which also explore the human impact of economic hardships.

Hard Times by Studs Terkel is an oral history of the Great Depression, featuring interviews with 160 individuals from varied backgrounds, including migratory workers, union organizers, and government officials. Through these personal recollections, Terkel explores themes such as labor strife, race, political turmoil, and the psychological impact of the Depression, while contrasting the experiences of those who lived through it with the perspectives of younger generations. The book includes depictions of suicide, mental health issues, and extreme stress.

Informative / Gritty / Melancholic / Challenging / Nostalgic

- Studs Terkel's Hard Times is an oral history compilation, capturing personal stories and experiences from the Great Depression, a format Terkel is famously known for.
- The book was first published in 1970, and it provides a diverse array of perspectives from people of various backgrounds, reflecting the widespread impact of the economic crisis.
- Hard Times won the National Book Award in 1971 for Contemporary Affairs, highlighting Terkel's ability to weave personal narratives into a compelling historical account.

**Studs Terkel**  
The author and interviewer who curated the oral histories featured in the book, providing a panoramic view of the Depression by sharing people's personal recollections. He also contributes his own Depression-era memories in an introductory memoir.

**Franklin D. Roosevelt**  
The 32nd U.S. president, who is frequently mentioned by Terkel's interviewees due to his central role during the Depression with his New Deal policies and charismatic radio "fireside chats."

**Father Charles Coughlin**  
A Catholic priest and influential radio broadcaster during the Depression, whose populist messages initially supported but later opposed President Roosevelt; he is remembered by interviewees for his vehement criticisms and controversial rhetoric.

**Samuel Insull**  
A prominent Chicago-based businessman whose financial empire's collapse left a significant impact on many people during the Depression, including Terkel’s own family, and became emblematic of the risky financial practices of the pre-crash era.

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Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression

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