Only Yesterday

An Informal History of the 1920s

By: Frederick Lewis Allen

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Jazz, flappers, flasks, rumbleseats, and raccoon coats; Mah Jong, crossword puzzles, marathon dancers, and flagpole sitters; Red Grange, Rudolph Valentino, and Lucky Lindy.

These were the catch words of the roaring, irrepressible '20s. But so were the Boston Police strike, the K.K.K., women's suffrage, Sigmund Freud, Sacco and Vanzetti, Teapot Dome, and Black Tuesday.

In this span between armistice and depression, Americans were kicking up their heels, but they were also bringing about major changes in the social and political structure of their country. Only Yesterday is a fond, witty, penetrating biography of this restless decade, a delightful reminiscence for those who can remember and a fascinating firsthand look for those who've only heard.

©1931 Frederick Lewis Allen (P)1989 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A perfectly grand piece of historical record and synthetic journalism." (Chicago Daily Tribune)

1920's brought to life

Would you consider the audio edition of Only Yesterday to be better than the print version?

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Who was your favorite character and why?

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Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

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Any additional comments?

If you want to feel the 20's this is the book. If I had known it was written in or near 1934 I probably wouldn't have bought it. But, that would have been my loss and incorrect assumption. I find that when I read reviews it is best to also read reviews on books I have already read and liked since that gives me a gauge for future reviews, especially on the negative ones.

Huzzah!

A perfect time capsule that is elevated even further by great narration. Times change but people’s motivations don’t. Hearing the problems of 1920s America gives one the confidence to face the present.

Great look into the 20s from someone who actually lived it

What is so interesting about this book is the closeness with which the author described the time of the roaring 20s. (Written in 1931) Great to have the first hand perspective that doesn’t exist any longer. Only criticism with the audio book is there is a noticeable echo of the narrators voice when he pauses to begin a new section.

Comprehensive read for the history buff

The writing was on point, the subject well-researched, great reader but there was an echo throughout the book that was very distracting...

Serious echo

There were recording issues on this book. The story itself was fascinating and well presented.

Loved this book

Fascinating review of the 1920s. I enjoyed the entire book. Much of the story concerning youth rebellion, religion and sex could have come right out of the 1960s. Well worth a listen.

background noise

There was talking in the background through the whole book. My dog kept jumping up and looking around to see who was talking.

Good listen and so relevant to our current today

Very well done and the narrator is A+.

This book clearly relates the path that slowly led to the great depression. I fear that the last 100 years have erased our memories to the point that we are again going down this same perilous path.going

Dawg!

Escape the Now

If you’re sick of politics now, this wonderful book is for you. The title suggests nostalgia, but it’s really political, social, and cultural history, written in a very accessible way. I had no idea there were so many similarities between the 20’s and the present, so much political skulduggery, so much sex and fashion, so much media hype. My only quibble is that there are lots of statistics thrown in, but there’s plenty of plain colorful information and good gossip too.How much do you know about President Harding and his wife? Listen and learn! I absolutely loved almost every minute, and the narrator does a good job, except for an occasional mispronounciation. If you enjoy mental time travel, take this trip.

sounds like there's a radio in the background.

During pauses I hear a repeat of what the narrator says. Audio ghosting. very annoying.