The topic, the American Home Front during World War II, was selected due to personal interest. The changes that occurred in our society were fascinating as was the speedy return to "normalcy" once the war had ended. The scope covers all aspects of life in America during this time, the workplace, marriage and family, economy and rations, social behaviors, etc. The main focus of the resource selection was on primary sources such as newspapers, magazines, letters, diaries etc. rather than secondary sources, although those resources are also useful. The intended audience is college students, faculty and scholars in an academic setting such as UNC where the public could also access the information if they were so inclined, an enthusiastic amateur. Believing that there are people who are equally interested in the American Home Front during World War II, has made locating resources and compiling the pathfinder both fun and educational.
LC SUBJECT HEADINGS / BROWSING AREAS
These subject headings may be used when searching for books and other materials related to the American Home Front during World War II. They are most useful for searching online catalogs, but they can also be used in searching indexes and abstracts as well as the World Wide Web. Sometimes, it is difficult to find relevant information through the online catalog. So, you may opt to browse the shelves that contain materials on this topic. The following range(s) of call numbers represent the areas where these materials are located.
| Family | HQ728. H48 |
| United States-Army-Military Life | U766. K55 |
| United States-History-1939-1945-sources | E806. P63 |
| United States-Social Conditions | HQ728. H48 |
| United States-Social Life and Customs-1918-1945 | E806. L568 |
| Women-Employment-California-Los Angeles- History | HD6073. A452 U64 |
| Women-Employment-United States-History | HQ1420. H34 |
| Women-United States-Correspondence | D810. W7 S54 |
| Women-United States-History-20th century | HQ1420. C32 |
| World War, 1939-1945-Participation, Female | D810. W7 K43 |
| World War, 1939-1945-Social Aspects-United States | HQ1420. C32 |
| World War, 1939-1945-Women | HQ1420. H34 |
INDEXES / DATABASES
Research about the American Home Front during World War II is found in the following Indexes and Databases. All of the indexes and abstracts listed below can be accessed through UNC Libraries' home page.
America: History and Life. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, 1964-present.
This source provides bibliographic reference focusing on the history of the United States and Canada through time. It covers historical journals in all languages from many countries. This is the best index for locating materials on this topic. Recommended for academic libraries.
Contemporary Women's Issues. Beachwood: Responsive Database Services, 1992 -present.
The database provides a large scope of information on women. Includes journals, newsletters, government and international agencies, etc. The full text coverage brings multiple disciplines together creating a comprehensive resource. Very useful for this topic, however the information is very current so few primary sources are located. Also a little bit of a feminist bias which may hinder research, but still very useful for finding wonderful secondary sources. Recommended for an academic library.
GenderWatch. Stamford: Softline Information, Inc., mid 1970's- present.
This database is a collection of sources such as international journals, magazines, newsletters, etc. The resulting articles deal with a multitude of women's issues and gender issues. Like contemporary Women's Issues, this database is very current and has a feminist bias, which can impede good research. Still very useful again in locating rich secondary sources which can lead to valuable primary sources. Recommended for academic libraries.
New York Times Index. New York: New York Times Co., 1913-present.
This source refers users to a multitude of primary sources, newspaper, etc. The recommended years are 1940-1945 so that the researcher can locate items which were being published during the war, like the periodicals mentioned later, this can lead the researcher to valuable primary sources depicting the mind set of the nation from 1940-1945. Recommended for academic libraries.
PCI (Periodicals Content Index). Alexandria: Chadwyck-Healy, 1770's-early 1990's.
This source can help lead the user to many recent and aged items on this topic. It is easy to search and a useful tool to start with when beginning research on the topic of the American home Front. This database has international coverage though most the entries are in English. Recommended for academic libraries.
Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature. Vols.12-15. New York: The H.W. Wilson Co., 1802-present.
This source is much like the New York Index. It refers the user to periodicals, magazines, journals, etc. By using the year 1940-1945 the reader is again introduced to the mindset of the nation during World War II. All the articles found are valuable because they are primary sources and no matter the topic they reflect the moods, conditions, etc of America. One of if not the best source for locating primary sources on this topic. Recommended for school and academic libraries because of its simple method of searching and research value.
RILM Abstracts of Music Literature. New York: RILM, 1969-present.
This source, while limited, is a good doorway for primary sources on World War II. The music of the era is just as informative as texts and magazines. It reflects the popular culture, a different approach from scholarly articles in journals of the time. This source is easy to search and can lead to some interesting research paths. Recommended for academic libraries.
Women's Studies. New York: G.K. Hall and Co., 1990-present.
This source is useful, as were the other two mentioned here, for locating secondary sources on topics related to women's studies, including the American Home Front during World War II. Less bias in the selected articles than in the other two women's databases. Easy to search this is recommended for academic libraries.
FREQUENTLY MENTIONED TEXTS
When first approaching the subject of the American Home Front during World War II there are a number of texts which are considered 'classics'. The texts listed below are just a few of these. While not a comprehensive list of the literature, they are considered seminal works in the study of this topic. Many of them also include good bibliographies which provide access to further readings.
Campbell, D'Ann. Women at War with America: Private Lives in a Patriotic Era. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1984.
This book focuses on all aspects of life in America. Covers topics from war work to social conditions and childraising. Wonderful bibliographic references that will lead the user to more sources, both primary and secondary, of information in addition to the material provided in the text. The English is easy to read and the style will pull in a researcher or enthusiast. Recommended for both school and academic level research pertaining to the American home Front during World War II.
Gluck, Sherna Berger, ed. Rosie the Riviter Revisited: Women and the World War II
Work Experience. Boston: G.K. Hall,
1987.
This work focuses on the war work experience of women all over America. Contains a fabulous bibliography for further research suggestions. Too specific and involved for anything other than academic research and perhaps the very well informed enthusiast. Not as compelling perhaps as some of the sources mentioned, but definitely one of the best resources for this specific area of the World War II experience.
Hartmann, Susan M. The Homefront and Beyond: American Women in the 1940's. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1982.
This source focuses on the role and conditions of American women during World War II. It is a wonderful resource for building a bibliography and for its information. This leads to several primary sources though the text itself is also very useful. It deals specifically with women but is not as limited as some of the other frequently mentioned texts. Recommended for academic libraries.
Hill, Reuben. Families Under Stress: Adjustment to the Crises of War Separation and
Reunion. In collaboration with Elise
Boulding. New York: Random House, 1944.
Another wonderful and specific source. This work contains detailed bibliography including not only other books, but also journal articles of the time, which are also excellent primary sources. Focuses on a major aspect of America during World War II, family separations, reunions, childrearing, etc. Recommended for an academic setting.
Keil, Sally Van Wagenen. Those Wonderful Women in their Flying Machines: The
Unknown Heroines of World War II.
New York: Four Directions Press, 1990.
This source focuses on women in the Airforce. The bibliographic resources, which provide several primary sources, are excellent for further research and study of women in the military. Many women did join the service while the war was on and this is an important but less focused on part of the American Home Front. Easy enough for school or academic setting with particularly valuable bibliographic resources.
Klaw, Barbara van Doren. Camp Follower: The Story of a Soldier's Wife. New York: Random House, 1944.
This source discusses the life of military wives moving from base to base, how the were treated, recognized, etc. Since such a large portion of the population were military wives at some point during the war, this book is quite useful. The bibliography also leads to fabulous primary and secondary sources. The stories and facts are compelling and at a level where this could be in a school or academic library.
Lingemann, R.R. Don't You Know There's a War On? The American Homefront, 1941- 1945. New York: Putnam, 1980.
A broad source touching all aspects of World War II in America, this source is an excellent starting point for research. Because it is less specific than some other selections, it helps round out the resources listed here. Perfect for starting research and looking for good primary and secondary sources. Recommended for academic libraries.
Litoff, Judy Barrett and David C. Smith, eds. Since You Went Away: World War II
Letters from American Women on the
Home Front. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1991.
One of the best primary sources in this area. This book is a collection of letters written by women at home. It gives the researcher a doorway into the mind of those who actually lived through the war and experienced the Home Front phenomenon first hand. The bibliography is also excellent, sending the researcher to other letter collections, magazine articles and many types of primary sources. The style is easy to read and suitable for a school or academic library for both its interest and the "slice of life" it provides the reader.
Polenberg, R., ed. America at War: The Home Front 1941-1945. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1968.
This source provides excellent bibliographic references. It is a general text discussing all aspects of the American Home Front, thus filling in some gaps in the mentioned texts by its broad nature. The source does lead to more specific resources both primary and secondary. Recommended for academic libraries because of the language level.
IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT PERIODICALS
These journals and periodicals were all in publication during World War II. Therefore any articles, features, columns, etc. found within these sources from 1940-1945 are primary resources essential to any research on this topic. These items reflect the culture, mindset and conditions of the American Home Front. They may be located in storage because of their age, but are well worth the time to request them.
American Federationist. (Washington DC: American Federation of Labor).monthly, starting, 1894.
Better Homes and Gardens. (Iowa: Meredith Publishing Co.)monthly, starting 1924
Good Housekeeping. (New York: Hearst Magazines, Inc.).monthly, starting 1916
Journal of Social Hygiene. (New York: American Society of Hygiene Association). 9 issues per year, starting 1922.
Ladies Home Journal. (Philadelphia: Curtis Publishing Co.).monthly, starting 1883.
Mental Hygiene. (New York: National Committee for Mental Health).monthly, starting 1917.
Monthly Labor Review. (Washington DC: Supt. of Documents).monthly, starting 1911.
Rotarian. (Chicago: Rotary International).monthly, starting 1909.
Time. (New York: Time, Inc).weekly, starting 1923.
Women's Home Companion. (Ohio: Cromwell-Collier). monthly, starting 1904.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Bibliographies are an excellent starting point when trying to find good books and prominent authors in a certain field. The following sources provide such information on the literature of the American Home Front during World War II.
Bayliss, Gwyn M. Bibliographic Guide to Two World Wars: An Annotated
Survey of English-language Reference Materials.
New York: Bowker, 1977.
This reference source provides bibliographic reference on several topics from rationing to entertainment. There is a table of contents and index to aid in term selection. It contains both primary source references and secondary source references. A valuable source despite the date of publication. Recommended for academic libraries.
Enser, A.G.S. A Subject Bibliography of the Second World War: A Book in English
1939-1974. Boulder: Westview Press,
1977.
Provides lists of bibliographic sources on World War II. It is organized by subjects such as Airforce, children, etc. Provides many primary and secondary resources, which would help any researcher on their way. It has a companion volume focusing on texts published after 1974. Good for an academic library but may be too complex for school level research.
Enser, A.G.S. A Subject Bibliography of the Second World War: A Book in English 1975-1983.Brookfield: Gower, 1985.
The companion to the above course, this work also focuses on texts published on World War II, divided by subject. Also includes some primary but mainly secondary sources. A valuable tool, as is the other volume, in locating some major texts on the particular subject you are locating. Again, recommended for academic libraries.
Funk, Arthur Layton. Second World War: A Select Bibliography of Books in
English Publication Since 1975.
Claremont: Regina Book, 1985.
This resource has a broader scope than the other bibliographies and has fewer references for World War II than the others. It did provide some of the best titles however. A good starting point for further research, but maybe not as useful as some of the more specific bibliographies. Recommended for academic libraries.
Simon, Jan. World War II: A Selected List of References. Washington DC: Library
of Congress, Humanities and Social
Science Division, 1992.
A good course full of information, very time intensive. It is set up like the cards from the card catalog were merely photocopied in no particular order. Found several of the frequently mentioned texts such as D'Ann Campbell's text for example, in this source. Recommended for the academic library and researchers who have a lot of time to go through sources.
Spier, Henry O. World War II in our Magazines and Books, September 1939- September
1945: A Bibliography. New York:
Stuyvesant, 1945.
A wonderful bibliography leading to all primary sources. It provides references to the war as presented in the magazines, books, etc of America. This source sends you to articles and texts reflecting the propaganda, government rationing, war battles, advice columns, etc that were published during World War II. Very valuable for anyone studying this period because of its primary source references. Recommended for academic libraries.
The Two World Wars: A Selected Bibliography. New York: Pregamon Press, 1965.
This bibliography provides references to both primary and secondary sources. Covering all aspects of World War II it includes subjects related to the American Home Front such as rationing, entertainment, etc. A useful bibliography for researching any aspect of World War II. Recommended for academic libraries.
Wedborn, Helena. Women in the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Stanford: Hoover Institute Stanford University Press, 1988.
A wonderful source focusing specifically on women, which ties in a lot with the American Home Front. It also highlights women in European countries. Provided good references to both primary and secondary sources (diaries, letters and texts or studies). Recommended for academic libraries.
ENCYCLOPEDIAS
The following sources provide useful background information for the study of the American Home Front during World War II. They also provide bibliographies and reading lists that allow users to begin further research. These sources should primarily be used as reference works or as an introduction to the research topic.
Baudot, Marcel, ed. The Historical Encyclopedia of World War II. London: Macmillan, 1981.
A good encyclopedia focusing on all the topics of World War II. It provides bibliographic sources and is important for gaining a basic knowledge of the war and America's role at home before starting any in-depth or specific research. Easy to read and very useful for all audiences. Recommended for both school and academic libraries.
Dear, I.C.B., ed. The Oxford Companion to World War II. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
One of the newest sources focusing only on World War II. This source provides many pieces of information to the researcher looking for background knowledge. Arranged in alphabetical order this source also includes illustrations and pictures. This encyclopedia provides good general information providing a broad background of World War II. A good source recommended for academic libraries due to its language usage.
Encyclopedia Britannica On-line. New York: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1994.
A good standard encyclopedia, but not as useful as the other encyclopedias mentioned. Despite its newness its treatment of the home Front is very basic. Recommended for providing a general picture of the American Home Front during World War II. Not intended for serious study or research of the topic.
Young, Brigadier Peter, ed. The Marshall Cavendish Illustrated Encyclopedia of World
War II. New York: Marshall
Cavendish, 1966.
This source provides wonderful illustrations of the period including posters, film advertisements, recruiting posters, photographs, etc. These things themselves are primary sources. This source also leads the reader to several other sources, which are not primary, but themselves contain extensive bibliographies. The entries are written by former military members and are very authoritative. Recommended for school and academic libraries to provide a picture of World War II both overseas and at home.
Young, Brigadier Peter, ed. World War II. London: Orbis Publishers Ltd., 1966.
This source is full of primary sources such as posters, war movie information, newspaper headlines, etc. It is 120 volumes and was published weekly. It is a compilation of all the issues. A great reference for studying World War II. Recommended for school and academic libraries because of its primary value and its compelling organization.
GUIDES
Guides provide yet another source of information in researching the American Home Front during World War II, the following guides have complete bibliographies and provide both general and specific knowledge of the topic.
Snyder, Louis L. Louis L. Snyder's Historical Guide to World War II. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1982.
This source contains many bibliographic entries leading to further research. It covers general aspects of World War II and is easy to use and read. This guide is recommended for academic libraries because of its use as a research tool more than for providing general information.
Variety Film Review. Vols. 6, 7. New York: Garland Publishing, Inc.
This source provides reviews for movies. The volumes selected cover the war years 1940-1945. This is an excellent resource for primary sources because the movies themselves reflect the propaganda of the time and the conditions of the American Home Front.
WEB RESOURCES
There are a multitude of sites on the web devoted to the American Home Front during World War II. The following are some of the best web sources for information about the topic. They are not meant to be comprehensive. However, they provide links to many other related sites.
This site is easily searched and provides much information about World War II. The user can search under education and get to sites about World War II including documents, battle timelines, letters from an Army private, posters, Rosie the Riviter, etc. Another approach is under entertainment where the user can find sites about classic World War II movies or music of the Era. There are countless topics that can be searched for on this site. The design is pleasing and the searching methods are easy to use.
Created by Steve Schoenherr, a faculty member at the University of San Diego, for the History Department. This site provides research links for many topics such as general information, media, battle, propaganda, home front, Library of Congress, American Memory, museums, etc. This site is the best of any found. It is appropriate not only for this particular topics but any topic related to World War II. The design is very good and easy to follow. Recommended first among the sites listed here.
World War II The Personal View
This site was created by a student at Colorado University at Colorado Springs for a history class. It contains 20 links to web sources on World War II. Each entry is annotated outlining the content, design, etc. There were two or three sites that are particularly appealing such as Power of Persuasion: Poster Art from World War II. This site contains links to sites ranging from letters, and Prisoner of War experiences, to the Women's Land Army. The graphics and overall design are very clever and the language is easy to understand.