Book Review: The Age of Reform by Richard Hofstadter

The Age of Reform by Richard Hofstadter

Richard Hofstadter, a prominent professor in department of history of Columbia University, published a classic book on the age of reform since the reconstruction to the Franklin Roosevelt New Deal. In The Age of Reform, Hofstadter attempted to explore the political tradition of reform in American history. According to him, the populism, the progressivism and the New Deal represented the political tradition of reform when Americans were in turbulent era.

We know that it is not easy to change readers' opinions and understanding of the American history. However, in this book, Hofstadter did it. Since I first read this book when I was just an undergreaduate, I was totally attracted by the writing style of Hofstadter. As far as I am concerned, it's an incisive critique of the populist and progressive movements that sprang up in the last quarter of the 19th century. Meanwhile, it greatly influenced my understanding of the American history.

In writing this book, Hofstadter was present-minded. Perhaps it was not so popular when he was writing this book at that time, but he did a good job in writing such an unbelievable book. It was Hofstadter's great contribution that he connected the three historical tide together, from which we could see American history in a new way.

For those who major in American history, I highly recommend them to read this classic. Perhaps you do not agree with Hofstadter's writing style, you can always learn something from him when you read it.