Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression

work by Terkel

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July 16, 2026

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Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression is a 1970 book by American author and oral historian Studs Terkel. The book chronicles the experiences of Americans during the Great Depression, a period of severe worldwide economic decline that lasted from 1929 to about 1939. Terkel's work is known for its focus on the voices of ordinary people, capturing their struggles, resilience, and perspectives during this challenging era. It provides a firsthand account of the human impact of widespread unemployment and economic hardship in the United States.123

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Arthur Miller
…vignettes based on Studs Terkel’s Hard Times (about the Great Depression), was produced at the 1980 American Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. Miller’s later plays included The Ride Down Mount Morgan (1991), Mr. Peters’ Connections (1998), and Resurrection Blues (2002).
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…vignettes based on Studs Terkel’s Hard Times (about the Great Depression), was produced at the 1980 American Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. Miller’s later plays included The Ride Down Mount Morgan (1991), Mr. Peters’ Connections (1998), and Resurrection Blues (2002).
Read More