Aimed at undergraduates, this volume reflects upon the popular culture of 1940s America. It begins with an overview of the cultural climate of the time, covering aspects such as politics, the ascendancy of the middle class, and the development of youth culture. Individual chapters are then devoted to advertising, architecture, fashion, food, leisure activities, literature, music, travel, and the visual and performing arts. Sickels teaches American film and popular culture at Whitman College. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)