Ours Was the Shining Future

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The stagnation of living standards for most Americans over recent decades is a defining trend in modern U.S. life. While wealth and educational attainment have slowed, life expectancy has declined, economic inequality has surged, and the Black-White wage gap remains as large as during Truman's presidency. This raises the question: how did this occur in the world's most powerful country? Drawing from years of economic reporting for the New York Times and extensive archival research, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer David Leonhardt narrates the past century of the American economy, beginning with the Great Depression and the concept of the "American dream." The narrative explores how the U.S. built a prosperous mass economy post-Depression and how it subsequently unraveled after the postwar boom. Central to the discussion are three key forces that have influenced the economy's trajectory: political power through grassroots movements, cultural shifts, and investment in future improvements. Known for his clear and engaging writing, Leonhardt presents an enlightening economic history that highlights the influential figures who shaped the American dream, including Frances Perkins, Eisenhower, Cesar Chavez, Betty Friedan, Robert Kennedy, and Grace Hopper.