Includes index.

Part One.1900-1920 -- The first generation -- Communities 1900-1920 -- The new century -- Becoming a world power -- Part Two. 1920-1945 -- The second generation -- Prosperity and modernity 1920-1932 -- A new deal -- Communities 1920-1940 -- Waging world war II -- Part Three. 1945 -- The third generation -- The new industrial society -- It's a small world after all -- American communities after World War II.

The response of instructors and students—at all levels and from all parts of the nation-to our effort to make the history of the United States in the 20th century come alive has been most gratifying. In carrying forward this revision of Three Generations, we have benefitted greatly from the encouragement, comments, and criticisms of all of you who wrote, telephoned, and, in a few cases, stopped by Lawrence, Kansas, to deliver opinions. Readers who became familiar with the first edition of Three Generations will note the addition of numerous photographs, a more open format in general, a bibliographical essay following each chapter, and—we hope—a tighter, more readable narrative. Those improvements are in response to sometimes vociferous recommendations from you and, as well, from us. Readers will also observe, however, that despite various pleas and demands to do so, we could not bring ourselves to expunge any of the families. Perhaps parricide will come more easily in the fourth or the fifth edition!