Midcentury Journey

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Published in 1952, William L. Shirer’s Midcentury Journey feeds off that period’s optimism as the United States had established itself as the leader of the Free World.  Shirer’s perspective exhibits an enthusiasm that—coupled with his conversational style—makes this a powerful read.

Beginning at the turn of the 20^th century, Shirer traces the journey from a world largely at peace through the catastrophic world wars to the uneasy quiet of a cold war between the world’s two great superpowers.  His unique insight into events in the European combatant countries during the first half of the last century makes his viewpoints credible and authoritative.

In fact, to get the most from Midcentury Journey, the reader should first complete two earlier works from Shirer— Berlin Diary and The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.  Those two excellent books provide an effective backdrop for much of the analysis and detail provided in this one.

Shirer writes at a time when America was at its pinnacle, and he is quite optimistic about the future.  He writes:

It was genuine progress to have grown up, to have come of age, to have shed the incredible provincialism of the twenties, its infantilism and insipidity, the blind worship of business and money, and the mawkish hypocrisy of Prohibition…

He then concludes:

…It was a growing up when we abandoned isolationism, assumed our responsibilities as a world power.

Shirer goes on to describe the many accomplishments of America at midcentury.  And he raises the bar as he discusses the challenges still to be met by a more mature and dynamic nation. 

It’s difficult not to contrast Shirer’s positive confidence in 1952 with the United States’ decline in the global community over the last decade. If he were still around in 2052, one must wonder how he would portray this century’s Midcentury Journey.

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