Articles Posted in Book reviews

James Chappell’s The Golden Years provides a compelling and incisive examination of the history of aging in America from the 19th century’s radical yet unrealized visions for reparative pensions to the contemporary decline of collective policy frameworks supporting older adults. Chappell’s narrative is richly detailed and deeply thought-provoking, offering both a historical chronicle and a critique of the evolving relationship between aging, public policy, and societal expectations.

Chappell shines a light on the early idealistic efforts to repair lives disrupted by war and slavery in the post-Civil War era. These movements, though ambitious, were thwarted by political deadlock and systemic inequalities. The author paints a vivid picture of how old-age support became a prominent issue, yet remained mired in compromises that excluded many, particularly African Americans. The 1935 Social Security Act—a cornerstone of the New Deal—marked a turning point, but its benefits were initially restricted to industrial workers, leaving agricultural and domestic laborers, disproportionately Black, on the sidelines.