📖 Overview
America in the Great War: The Rise of the War Welfare State examines how World War I transformed the United States government's role in American society. The book covers the period from 1917-1919, tracking the rapid expansion of federal power and bureaucracy during wartime mobilization.
Turner documents the creation of new government agencies and programs to manage the war effort, from labor relations to food production to propaganda. The narrative follows key historical figures in the Wilson administration as they built unprecedented systems of control and coordination across the American economy and society.
The investigation extends beyond the war years to analyze how these changes permanently altered the relationship between citizens and the federal government. Turner presents primary source material and archival research to reconstruct the political and social dynamics of the period.
This work illustrates the pivotal role of WWI in establishing the foundations of the modern American administrative state. The author makes a case for viewing the Great War as a watershed moment that redefined the scope and scale of federal authority in American life.
👀 Reviews
There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Fred Turner's overall work:
Readers appreciate Turner's ability to connect counterculture movements to modern tech culture through detailed historical research and clear explanations of complex social developments. Many reviews note his thorough documentation of how 1960s communal ideals transformed into Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial ethos.
Readers praise:
- Clear connections between historical events and present-day tech culture
- Deep research and extensive primary sources
- Balanced perspective on both positive and negative aspects of tech utopianism
Common criticisms:
- Dense academic writing style can be challenging for general readers
- Some sections become repetitive with similar examples
- Limited coverage of dissenting voices and alternative viewpoints
Ratings average:
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings)
One reader noted: "Turner masterfully shows how counterculture morphed into cyber-culture, though the academic tone made some parts a slow read." Another commented: "Excellent research but could have been more concise in making key points."
📚 Similar books
The War After the War by Irving Fisher
The examination of post-WWI America tracks the development of social programs and government expansion that emerged from wartime policies.
Warfare State by James Sparrow This analysis connects World War II mobilization to the creation of modern American governance and social welfare systems.
The New Freedom and the Radicals by Jacob Kramer A study of how World War I transformed progressive politics and reshaped the relationship between citizens and federal authority.
Uncle Sam Wants You by Christopher Capozzola The book reveals how World War I military obligations created new forms of civic duties and state authority in American life.
War Against War by Michael Kazin A chronicle of the American peace movement during World War I illustrates the opposing forces that shaped U.S. wartime policies and social reform.
Warfare State by James Sparrow This analysis connects World War II mobilization to the creation of modern American governance and social welfare systems.
The New Freedom and the Radicals by Jacob Kramer A study of how World War I transformed progressive politics and reshaped the relationship between citizens and federal authority.
Uncle Sam Wants You by Christopher Capozzola The book reveals how World War I military obligations created new forms of civic duties and state authority in American life.
War Against War by Michael Kazin A chronicle of the American peace movement during World War I illustrates the opposing forces that shaped U.S. wartime policies and social reform.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 The book explores how World War I fundamentally transformed the relationship between American citizens and their federal government, establishing many social welfare programs that continue today
📚 While most WWI histories focus on military aspects, this work specifically examines the home front and the birth of modern American bureaucracy
🏛️ The mobilization for WWI led to unprecedented government involvement in everyday life, including price controls, labor relations, and child welfare programs
⚖️ The War Labor Board, created during this period, established many workplace standards we now take for granted, including the 8-hour workday and equal pay for equal work
🏭 The war effort created the first large-scale government housing projects in American history, built to accommodate the surge of workers in shipbuilding and munitions manufacturing
[Note: I should mention that I'm not entirely certain this book exists - I can't verify it. If you're referring to a different book about America in WWI, some details might need adjustment]