This book situates American literature from the Great Depression to the present day in its historical context* Explores the issues that engaged American writers from 1929 to the present* Draws on a range of documents from magazine and newspaper accounts to government reports and important non-fiction* The book covers political ferment of the 1930s; post-World War II anti-Communism; post-War affluence; suburbanization and demographic change; juvenile delinquency, mental illness and the perception of the U.S. as a sick society; and post-1965 immigration* Designed to be compatible with the major anthologies of literature from the period* Equips students and general readers with the necessary historical context needed to understand the writings from this period and provides original and useful readings that demonstrate how context contributes to meaning* Includes a historical timeline, featuring key literary works, American presidents, and historical events