Jeffries, John W. Wartime America: The World War II Home Front Chicago, IL; Ivan R. Dee, Inc., 1996.
The home front during the Second World War has often been characterized as a “watershed” and a “good war,” implying that the home front rapidly evolved from the depression era into a mobilized nation for the sake of fighting for the freedom of all people at home and overseas. John W. Jeffries argues that this analysis of the WWII home front history as a “watershed” moment and “good war” is an exaggerated account of what truly took effect in America prior, during, and after the Second World War. Jeffries’ interpretation of the home front and WWII is intriguing and thorough throughout his book. While his argument is vastly unlike the common interpretation of the home front, it is an intricate and …show more content…
Jeffries’ use of statistics and historical events throughout the entirety of his book helps to create a viable interpretation. This is exemplified when Jeffries persuasively shows that the OWI (Office of War Information) worked on its own accord during the war years, partook in “part of the effort to reelect FDR for a fourth term” and “behalf of racial tolerance and change.” This substantiates his later claim that they worked closely with the censorship laws in Hollywood since the censorship laws allowed for the ability to promote Franklin Roosevelt further through the screen. The substantial amount of evidence provides an excellent analysis while keeping the focus of the book upon his thesis and the American home front. This support constructs a deeper understanding of the lack of change which occurred between the depression era and the
The home front during the Second World War has often been characterized as a “watershed” and a “good war,” implying that the home front rapidly evolved from the depression era into a mobilized nation for the sake of fighting for the freedom of all people at home and overseas. John W. Jeffries argues that this analysis of the WWII home front history as a “watershed” moment and “good war” is an exaggerated account of what truly took effect in America prior, during, and after the Second World War. Jeffries’ interpretation of the home front and WWII is intriguing and thorough throughout his book. While his argument is vastly unlike the common interpretation of the home front, it is an intricate and …show more content…
Jeffries’ use of statistics and historical events throughout the entirety of his book helps to create a viable interpretation. This is exemplified when Jeffries persuasively shows that the OWI (Office of War Information) worked on its own accord during the war years, partook in “part of the effort to reelect FDR for a fourth term” and “behalf of racial tolerance and change.” This substantiates his later claim that they worked closely with the censorship laws in Hollywood since the censorship laws allowed for the ability to promote Franklin Roosevelt further through the screen. The substantial amount of evidence provides an excellent analysis while keeping the focus of the book upon his thesis and the American home front. This support constructs a deeper understanding of the lack of change which occurred between the depression era and the