1898: The Birth of the American Century
Amazon.com: The 20th century may have begun in the year 1901, but the "American Century" actually began three years earlier, according to historian David Traxel, who pinpoints 1898 as the pivotal year for America's new found presence on the world stage. In his book 1898: The Birth of the American Century, Traxel combines scholarly knowledge with eloquent storytelling to chronicle the events of this crucial year that set in train the transformation of the United States from a 19th-century isolated agrarian society, into a leading world power both economically and politically.
Traxel views the Spanish-American War as the epicenter of events in 1898--a war which the States won in a matter of months, though the Europeans never quite managed to defeat Spain even after several centuries of warfare. With this victory, the U.S. was now firmly established as a major military player. Economically the United States was also getting richer due to increased trade with foreign markets and because of a new generation of innovative industrialists like Ford and Westinghouse. The word "marketing" also entered the American business vocabulary, and 1898 saw the first million-dollar advertising campaign--to launch a well-known biscuit! Traxel goes on to detail how America's workforce was changing--unions fought for the rights of workers, and women pursued jobs and the right to vote. Although the United States didn't suddenly metamorphose overnight, 1898 was certainly a crucial year in its development, and Traxel recounts these events in meticulous detail. --Naomi Gesinger
Product Description:
"History composed with zest and care and an eye for the anecdote."--The Boston Globe
In 1898, David Traxel tells the story of this watershed year, a year of foreign conflict, extravagant adventure, and breakneck social change that forged a new America--a sudden empire with many far-flung possessions, a dynamic new player upon the global stage.
At the heart of this vivid, anecdotal history is a masterly account of the Spanish-American War, the "splendid little war" that garnered the nation Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. From the sinking of the Maine in waters off Havana to the rough ride of Roosevelt and the triumph of Admiral Dewey, here is the lightning-swift military episode that transformed America into a world power. Here too are many stories not so often told--the bloody first successes of the new United Mine Workers, the tentative beginnings of the Ford Motor Company, the million-dollar launch of the Uneeda Biscuit--each in its way as important as the war as a harbinger of the American century.
Compulsively readable, frequently humorous, utterly fascinating in its every detail, 1898 is popular history at its best.
"Compelling and gracefully written."--Los Angeles Times
"Traxel is a lucid, engaging writer with a sure sense of narrative movement."--The Washington Post
Subjects: History, History - U.S., History: American, United States - 19th Century, United States - 19th Century/Turn of the Century, United States - Reconstruction Period (1865-1877), History / United States / 19th Century, Eighteen ninety-eight, A.D, Spanish-American War, 1898,
Entertaining if neither Definitive or Substantial
David Traxel has taken the year 1898 as, to quote the subtitle, the birth of the American century. He has many good and valuable reasons for doing so as is made obvious as the book, and the year, unfold before the reader. It is all here from the growing imperialism of the United States as it becomes involved in Cuba and the Philippine, as well as labour disputes, the growth of businesses such as Uneeda Biscuit and the Ford Motor Company, in addition to many more assorted characters and stories running throughout this history. Ms. Tuchman in the Proud Tower effectively covered some of the same issues, particulary the U.S. involvement with Cuba, in a very efficient fashion that laid events out a little more plainly. David Traxel does, on occasion, feel the need to soften or defend American actions. The book is still entertaining, though, and hopefully would lead a reader to learn more about the interesting events and people presented here.
One serious omission
I found the book engaging and extremely informative. Yet even though there was a great deal happening on the religious front in America that year, Traxel mentions nothing. Is this "selective history"? Does he deliberately disdain --or simply choose to ignore--the shaping influence of Christianity on our nation? That aspect was a disappointment.
An informative, but poorly presented, story of the times
1898 establishes this time-period as the adolescent growth spurt of America. We learn of the crucial players and ideas that brought America to world-class status. Unfortunately, the presentation is chaotic, and reveals few coherent themes. The level of detail is quite uneven. For instance, the author describes the emerging philosophy of conservationism in three pages, but he details the Spanish-American war down to the level of what the men ate for breakfast each morning. We learn, for no identifiable reason, of an adulterous affair of one of the siblings of President McKinnley. While nice gossip, such tangents do not contribute to the theme the author is trying to establish, which is America's transition to prominence.
Pretty Good!
I had to read this book because of a school assignment, but if I didn't have to, then it would have been an even greater book. The insights he shares with his readers are well put, & the anecdotal form makes the book move fast, which keeps the book interesting.
Interesting book
I found this book to be interesting and an easy read. I thought it pretty jumbled in its presentation, though, and not very meaty. Don't buy it expecting anything great & inciteful -- sort of like a USA Today approach to history lite. Good beach reading.
