Beginning with an analysis of cultural themes and ending with a discussion of evolving and expanding political and corporate institutions, The Columbia History of Post-World War II America addresses changes in America's response to the outside world; the merging of psychological states and social patterns in memorial culture, scandal culture, and consumer culture; the intersection of social practices and governmental policies; the effect of technological change on society and politics; and the intersection of changing belief systems and technological development, among other issues.

Many had feared that Orwellian institutions would crush the individual in the postwar era, but a major theme of this book is the persistence of individuality and diversity. Trends toward institutional bigness and standardization have coexisted with and sometimes have given rise to a countervailing pattern of individualized expression and consumption. Today Americans are exposed to more kinds of images and music, choose from an infinite variety of products, and have a wide range of options in terms of social and sexual arrangements. In short, they enjoy more ways to express their individuality despite the ascendancy of immense global corporations, and this volume imaginatively explores every facet of this unique American experience.

1. Introduction, by Mark C. Carnes
Part I. Culture
2. The Spaces People Share: The Changing Social Geography of American Life, by Sandra Opdycke
3. Drowning in Pictures, by Kenneth Cmiel
4. Popular Music and Technology, by Tom Collins
5. Bringing It Home: Children, Technology, and Family in the Postwar World, by Paula S. Fass
6. The Culture of Work, by Mark C. Carnes
7. The Military, Sport, and Warrior Culture, by Donald J. Mrozek
8. Death, Mourning, and Memorial Culture, by Michael Sherry
9. The Commerce of Culture and Criticism, by George Cotkin
Part II. Politics
10. Domestic Containment: The Downfall of Postwar Idealism and Left Dissent, 1945–1950, by Richard Lingeman
11. Without Restraint: Scandal and Politics in America, by Julian E. Zelizer
12. Television, Democracy, and Presidential Politics, by Rick Shenkman
13. Gender and the Transformation of Politics, by Susan Hartmann
14. Which Sides Are You On? Religion, Sexuality, and Culture- War Politics, by David T. Courtwright
15. The New Alchemy: Technology, Consumerism, and Environmental Advocacy, by Andrew Kirk
16. Citizenship and the Problem of Desire in the Postwar Labor and Civil Rights Movements, by Thaddeus Russell
17. What Price Victory? American Intellectuals and the Problem of Cold War Democracy, by Michael E. Latham
Part III. Government
18. Managerial Capitalism Contested: Government Policy, Culture, and Corporate Investment, by Tony A. Freyer
19. Federal Education Policy and Politics, by Maris A. Vinovskis
Contributors
Index