redrobinbookreviews

The Dream of the Golden Mountains: Remembering the 1930s   Malcolm Cowley
Beautifully written, insightful memoir of the 1930s while Cowley worked as an editor at The New Republic. Chapter one is an outstanding overview of the social situation of the Great Depression. Excellent description of the enticements of Communism for intellectuals, especially writers, of the period. Interesting account of Cowley’s involvement with the Harlan County coal strike. The chapter “Grass Grew in the Streets” is a fascinating depiction of the things people did to get by, especially in the early years of the depression. This is an excellent depiction of the literary, intellectual 1930s in the United States. Made me wish we were still like that. The few insertions of purely personal history worked very well. I loved this book.