From the Preface: This book began with our students - the twentieth century is the time they entered the world, the time they are most familiar with, yet parts of which seem distant, even ancient to them. Their lives, who they are, where they live, and what they believe are most intimately connected with this century. Our objective is to render both the familiar and the distant events and people of the twentieth century accessible and connected to our students' lives today. The key to achieving that goal is a strong clear narrative. Twentieth-Century America is a compelling story of soaring ideals, incomparable tragedies, and perseverance, which is to say, the stuff of all human history. Learning tools make the twentieth century come alive: American voices open up each of the chapters. Consisting of letters, diary entries, and other first-hand accounts, these voices highlight the personal dimensions of the American journey and show students the wealth and variety of experiences that make up the country's history. in the 1930s to Cambodian refugee Celia Noup's harrowing journey to California in the 1980s, these voices set the stage for key themes that are explored in each chapter. American Views, primary-source documents with introductions and pre-reading questions, are found in each chapter and bring people of the past and their concepts vividly alive. Such important topics as the plight of Japanese-Americans interned during World War II, and the relationship between religion and politics are examined in these powerful excerpts. Overview Tables in each chapter summarize complex issues. Key Topics, Key Terms, and Review Questions reinforce the concepts presented in each chapter.