This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

The essays compiled in this volume were collected from diverse members of the American public and prominent public figures. The essays therefore capture a broad snapshot of the beliefs and cultural values held by the general population of the United States, and reflect the importance of the individual credo in a pluralistic society. Most of these essays were written during the mid-2000s but a significant subset were written during the 1950s, and so the collection reflects the cultural values and social context of both eras.

During the 1950s, American culture was heavily influenced by the political tensions of the Cold War. The threat of nuclear war was a constant source of tension, as was the “Red Scare” fear of Communist infiltration, and the menace of an increasingly paranoid and authoritative government. After the upheaval of two World Wars, a desire for normalcy and security led to a resurgence of traditional, conservative values and lifestyles. The Civil Rights Movement was in its infancy, gender inequality was the norm, and the country was starkly divided on social, political, and cultural matters.

Much had changed by the opening decade of the 21st century, which proved to be a period of intense social and political change for America.