One Summer

Immerse yourself in an extraordinary journey back to the summer of 1927 with One Summer by Bill Bryson, a masterful writer known for his captivating narrative non-fiction. This meticulously researched and vividly told account highlights a pivotal season when America was on the cusp of modernity, imbued with a sense of boundless potential and seismic change.

In the summer of 1927, the US was a nation in transformation. The stock market was soaring, symbolising unprecedented economic growth, while President Calvin Coolidge led the country with a laissez-faire approach, working merely a few hours each day. This era was marked by significant events, including a cataclysmic Mississippi flood, which wreaked havoc on the landscape and lives of countless Americans.

Against this backdrop, an array of extraordinary occurrences unfolded. A mass murder trial gripped the public’s imagination, while Charles Lindbergh achieved global fame by completing the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, forever changing the world’s understanding of aviation. In the realm of entertainment, the silent film era was coming to an end, heralding the birth of talking pictures, while the invention of television was on the horizon.

However, not all tales of that summer were glistening. Infamous mobster Al Capone was at the zenith of his criminal empire, instilling fear and fascination in equal measure. In Michigan, a school bombing shocked the nation, leaving an indelible scar. Even in the world of sports, history was in the making as baseball icon Babe Ruth experienced a remarkable resurgence, defying the odds and delighting fans.

Bill Bryson's One Summer paints a rich and lively portrait of this remarkable period. With his distinctive wit, insightful observations, and authoritative storytelling, Bryson brings to life the spirit of an America brimming with reckless optimism and sheer audacity. His engaging prose captures the essence of a country seizing its moment on the world stage and forever altering the course of history.