"In more than 700 photographs, gathered from around the world, this book unfolds the century past in 10 chapters, each exploring a separate theme: home, machines, lifespan and medical advances, design, family, shopping and the consumer economy, sex, celebrity, entertainment, and the racial and ethnic diversity of our nation. Chapters open with essays written by authorities within those fields.
Interwoven are profiles of 20 of the sometimes little-known but crucial players behind the scenes, such as the developers of air-conditioning, Muzak, eBay and the controversial system that brought water to L.A. Special Turning Point photo essays illuminate issues as diverse as censorship, childbirth and America's passion for cars."--BOOK JACKET.
