Overview

"In 2018, 10 years after the damaging recession of 2008, America struggled to hang onto its democratic values, shaken by a profound mistrust in government, with freedom of speech under attack and thousands of refugees seeking asylum in America. Compounding those problems were economic inequality, a loss of common civility, and a failure to provide for the needs of returning warriors. By 2019, the fabric of American society was barely holding together. Selling Americans on America tells of another turbulent era--Post World War II-- when a phenomenon called the ""Freedom Train"" reignited citizens' faith in a country that was riddled with dissent, anxiety and mistrust in its leaders. In 1945-46 more than five million workers enlisted in labor strikes across the country. The constant fear of communist infiltration dominated the headlines. Returning GIs demanded jobs and housing. Government entities continued war-time meat and dairy rationing. Displaced Persons fleeing war-torn Europe poured into the country. Overseeing the chaos was a president nobody elected, coupled with a bitter, divisive Congress. To renew citizens' unity and pride in their nation, a privately funded consortium of advertising, civic, and entertainment professionals created a product to literally ""Sell Americans on America."" To help carry their message of hope, they assembled 130 priceless documents including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. Combined with a media blitz of songs, operettas, radio shows, and local festivities, the train reminded Americans that ""Freedom is Everybody's Job."""

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9781733969147

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Reviews

Selling Americans on America is a detailed description of the nation-wide efforts resulting in the first Freedom Train that toured the country in the late 1940s. The authors describe the historical events in detail from inception to execution, laying out the intermingling of inputs from all the key players. They describe how the backdrop of cultural, social and political issues provided the grist for the promotion of the idea from its inception to execution . . . For me, the book was an interesting and eye-opening account chronicling the efforts of our national leaders to address the postwar issues troubling the nation's core. It's a timely and informative piece and should be read by all who are concerned for these current times of fractured national identity--Dr. Edward A. Eddy, Midwest Review, Reviewer's Bookwatch

"""Selling Americans on America"" is a detailed description of the nation-wide efforts resulting in the first Freedom Train that toured the country in the late 1940s. The authors describe the historical events in detail from inception to execution, laying out the intermingling of inputs from all the key players. They describe how the backdrop of cultural, social and political issues provided the grist for the promotion of the idea from its inception to execution . . . For me, the book was an interesting and eye-opening account chronicling the efforts of our national leaders to address the postwar issues troubling the nation's core. It's a timely and informative piece and should be read by all who are concerned for these current times of fractured national identity--Dr. Edward A. Eddy, Midwest Review, Reviewer's Bookwatch"

Author Information

Before co-creating Avril 1 Group, Inc., Gerry Souter produced, wrote and directed industrial video, commercial and television programming for 11 years at Motivation Media in Glenview, Illinois, winning 14 national and international awards. Prior to that, he was a writer, producer, international filmmaker and photographer at Motorola Marketing Communications for eight years. His career began with four years of study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and University of Chicago. Gerry's graduate honors in photography led to newspaper, international photojournalism and documentary film making. Motorola hired him after numerous freelance assignments covering the Arctic, Africa, Europe and the Olympic Games. His work history also includes experience as an art teacher, security officer for the Arizona State Guard and Detective Agency and as an Ordinary Seaman in the U. S. Merchant Marine. Janet Souter studied advertising art four years at the School of the Chicago Art Institute while working nights at the A.C. Nielsen Corporation. She continued her art career as an advertising artist and exhibiting sculptor before returning to college and achieving an Associate Arts degree in fine arts. After several years in the travel industry, she turned to writing short stories and eventually non-fiction books. She joined the Daily Herald Newspapers in 2000 as a news coordinator, editor and columnist, eventually taking up her full time duties as president of Avril 1 Group, Inc. Janet has been a long-time member of the Barrington Writers Workshop and currently chairs the Arlington Heights Fine Arts Commission.

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