Colin Gordon Boeken

Colin Gordon, a Professor of History at The University of Iowa, explores significant themes in American history through his works. His notable titles include "Dead on Arrival," which examines the political landscape of healthcare in the 20th century, and "New Deals," which analyzes the interplay of business, labor, and politics during the transformative years of 1920 to 1935. Gordon's scholarship provides critical insights into the complexities of American societal changes and the forces shaping its history.

The book presents a fresh reinterpretation of the New Deal, examining the interconnectedness of its programs and their origins in the 1920s. It highlights the influence of various economic interests on the development of these initiatives, revealing a complex and often chaotic interplay that shaped their implementation. This analysis challenges previous understandings and provides a nuanced perspective on the New Deal's significance in American history.

The book explores the historical and political landscape that has shaped the absence of national health insurance in the United States, utilizing original archival research from the twentieth century. It delves into the development of private, work-based benefits and the American approach to social insurance, while also addressing the impacts of race and gender on healthcare discussions. Additionally, it highlights the ongoing struggle between reform advocates and entrenched economic and health interests, revealing the complexities behind this critical issue.

The book delves into the historical impact of private racial restrictions on property ownership in American cities during the first half of the twentieth century. It highlights how these agreements shaped urban development and perpetuated social, political, and economic exclusion. Through extensive research in five Midwestern counties, the author uncovers the mechanisms of segregation prior to zoning laws and federal redlining. The narrative also examines how these restrictions evolved into subtle practices that continued to enforce segregation, revealing their lasting consequences on housing inequality and economic mobility today.