Remembering the 1950's

The 1950s (American Popular Culture Through History)

by: William H. Young

Amazon Price: $44.00 (as of 12/10/2009)

Beneath the calm, conformist exterior, new ideas and attitudes were percolating. This was the decade of McCarthyism, Levittowns, and men in gray flannel suits, but the 1950s also saw bold architectural styles, the rise of paperback novels and the Beat writers, Cinema Scope and film noir, television variety shows, the Golden Age of the automobile, subliminal advertising, fast food, Frisbees, and silly putty. Meanwhile, teens attained a more prominent role in American culture with hot rods, rock 'n' roll, preppies and greasers, and--gasp--juvenile delinquency.

Going Home to the Fifties

by: Bill Yenne

Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)

With the postwar economic boom, a vast middle class emerged. Suburbs exploded across the country, and the new industrial complex cranked out cars, appliances, and home furnishings in record numbers. Here is an idealized neighborhood of the period, with schools, roads, and commuter trains to the homes, kitchens, and backyards - all drawn from the fantasy worlds created by advertising.

Recollections: a Baby Boomer's Memories of the Fabulous Fifties

by: Jim Chambers

Amazon Price: $12.60 (as of 12/10/2009)

As one of the first post-WWII Baby Boomers, Jim Chambers' childhood and early teenage years were in the 1950s, a remarkable decade for the United States that saw enormous political, technological, and cultural changes. Although many books have covered the headline-making events of the era in great detail, few of these books give the reader a real feel for what daily life was like for Americans living in that decade, especially for kids growing up then. The author remembers the little nuts and bolts things of daily life for families during the fascinating decade known as the Fabulous Fifties. "Recollections" perfectly blends paying homage to the little day-to-day rituals with a larger scale examination of social issues and mores of the times, and it's equally entertaining on either level. "Recollections" is a warm, lovingly honest, and fascinating portrait of America in the mid-20th Century.

New York in the Fifties

Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 12/10/2009)

New York in the Fifties is the story of a unique time and place, when New York was the hotbed of new artistic expressions, free love, drinking, hot jazz, and radical politics. The film combines stunning archival footage of New York with interviews and footage of icons of the day-Kerouac, Ginsberg, Baldwin, Mailer, Basie, etc. Offering modern day perspective and reminiscences are writers, actors, and artists such as Joan Didion, Robert Redford, Nat Hentoff, Gay and Nan Talese, John Gregory Dunne, William F. Buckley, and Calvin Trillin-all part of the rich cultural and artistic scene of the time.

As Seen on TV: The Visual Culture of Everyday Life in the 1950s

by: Karal Ann Marling

Amazon Price: $22.10 (as of 12/10/2009)

Opening with a photograph of a 1950s Disneyland home designed in the shape of a TV (by those fun-loving futurists at MIT), this book's text and photos consistently maintain a balance between insightful social commentary and critique and sensitive recapturing of the essence of visual broadcast's dawn.

America In The 1950s (Decades of American History)

by: Charles A. Wills

Amazon Price: $35.00 (as of 12/10/2009)

In addition to coverage of each presidential administration, important events, and historical trends, each compelling book includes information on what was happening in the arts, sciences, popular culture, fashion, and music. Each inviting and user-friendly volume includes 100 or more photographs, box features, pull-out quotations and facts in the margin, a glossary, a further reading list, and an index. Designed to be accessible to young readers, these volumes offer a unique way of learning about the history of America.

The Foundations of Europe: European Integration Ideas in France, Germany and Britain in the 1950s

by: Thomas Horber

Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)

Thomas Horber analyses the building process of European integration. He shows the parlimentary discourses of France, Germany and Britain to be representative of the national position of these states towards the developing concept of 'Europe'. He covers all key events and developments of the time which had an impact on the European integration process and provides and explaination for the convergence of national discourses towards a common Europe.

Fifties Forever!: Popular Fashions for Men, Women, Boys & Girls (Schiffer Book for Collectors and Designers.)

by: Roseann Ettinger

Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 12/10/2009)

1950s vintage clothing, from formal to classic, from party clothes and sports attire to underwear and sleepwear, is shown and described. Over 450 color photographs of American clothing for the whole family, adults and children. These styles hold a strong place in the Fifties Look that became popular around the world.

Hey Viv ! Fun 50's Accessories: Dress up for the Hop !

Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)

Dress up for the Hop! Here's the finishing touch for your Fifties look.

Hey Viv! Hot Pink Rock n Roll Skirt - Retro 50s Style

Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)

Going to the Hop ? Here's a fun 50's style, felt circle skirt ready to Swing ! This skirt is newly made with a good quality felt. It's great for costume. The waist is elastic, made to fit a range of sizes.

Everyday Fashions of the Fifties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs (Dover Books on Fashion)

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/10/2009)

Comprehensive view of what middle-class Americans were wearing in the fifties. One hundred twenty pages of illustrations, accompanied by descriptive captions, depict one-piece strapless bathing suits and dresses with plunging necklines for women; business suits with wide lapels--and equally wide ties--for men; bluejeans, plaid shirts, and full, knee-length swing skirts for girls; fringed cowboy suits for youngsters of both genders; and much more. Over 300 black-and-white illustrations.

Chevrolet Bel Air Tri Five 1955 1956 1957 Hawaiian Shirt, Benny's

Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)

* 100% cotton fabric
* Matching pocket
* Coconut buttons
* Made in California USA
* Authentic licensed General Motors product.

The 1950s' Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Rock & Roll Rebels, Cold War Crises, and All American Oddities

by: Robert A Rodriguez

Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)

It may have been half a century ago, but with The 1950s' Most Wanted it seem like just yesterday.

Malt Shop Memories

Amazon Price: $149.98 (as of 12/10/2009)

10 Disc set of all your favorites.

1000 Pc Fifties Jigsaw Puzzle

Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 12/10/2009)

This was the era of hot rods, long-finned cars, rock 'n roll, black and white tv, red skelton, groucho marx, duck-tailed haircuts, marilyn monroe, mickey mantle, james dean, and elvis. Filled with 50s trivia, this is the ultimate pop culture puzzle.

Fifties Cars 65in Scene Setter Add-Ons 2ct

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/10/2009)

Remember those classic cars from the 50's? Well here they are for you to enjoy once again with our Scene Setter Add-Ons. Scenes are cut easily and adhere to your wall or layer over our decorative Scene Setter Room Rolls, which these coordinate with

The Fifties Chronicle

by: Beth Bailey, David Farber

Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)

THE FIFTIES CHRONICLE amply represents with images of sock hops, roller derby, family barbecues, Cinerama and CinemaScope, Disneyland, the 57 Chevy, Mickey Mantle, the Mousketeers, and many other artifacts of the period. All this, plus movie and TV stills, fashion shots, home furnishings, book and magazine covers, hardcover and paperback books, tiki mugs and toys, home and urban architecture, fine art, Beat culture, and industrial design, from electric shavers to the fabulous 59 Cadillac. and a lot more.

Practical Wireless, Radios DIY Hi-Fi Magazine, UK, 1950 Giclee Poster Print, 12x16

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 12/10/2009)

Magic Moments - The Best of '50s Pop

Amazon Price: $11.98 (as of 12/10/2009)

Timeless '50s pop hits recorded live! From the hit PBS show!

The 1950s could be considered the last days of innocence. While Elvis gyrated to "Jailhouse Rock" and "All Shook Up," Pat Boone mused about "Love Letters In The Sand." Pop music, short for "popular," was just that: music enjoyed by mom, dad and kids alike.

The PBS concert special The Magic Moments: The Best Of '50s Pop, taped at the Trump Taj Majal in Atlantic city on April 21, 2004, celebrates that era with many of stars of the '50s singing their biggest hits in front of an appreciative audience.