The Forgotten Man

In 'The Forgotten Man,' Amity Shlaes offers a striking reinterpretation of the Great Depression by shifting the focus from the New Deal to the moving stories of individual Americans who endured the era.

The book explores the brave leadership and perseverance of common people, such as the Schechters, a family of butchers in Brooklyn, and Bill W., the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Shlaes also examines the failures of Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt in understanding the prosperity of the 1920s and the long-lasting impact of their policies.

The book argues that the real question about the Depression is why it lasted so long, rather than whether Roosevelt ended it with World War II.