The 42nd Parallel

novel by Dos Passos

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July 23, 2026

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The 42nd Parallel is the first novel in John Dos Passos's U.S.A. trilogy. Published in 1930, it covers the period in American history from 1900 up to World War I.1

The trilogy, including The 42nd Parallel, is known for its unique narrative style. Dos Passos interwove the stories of fictional characters with actual newspaper headlines, popular songs, and biographies of prominent figures of the time. This approach aimed to create a broad, realistic portrait of the United States, reflecting the social and political landscape of the early 20th century. The trilogy as a whole is considered a significant critique of American life and society.12

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U.S.A.
by John Dos Passos, comprising The 42nd Parallel (1930), covering the period from 1900 up to World War I; 1919 (1932), dealing with the war and the critical year of the Treaty of Versailles; and The Big Money (1936), which moves from the boom of the 1920s to the bust…
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by John Dos Passos, comprising The 42nd Parallel (1930), covering the period from 1900 up to World War I; 1919 (1932), dealing with the war and the critical year of the Treaty of Versailles; and The Big Money (1936), which moves from the boom of the 1920s to the bust…
Read More