The Great Depression was a severe depression that occurred after World War II. It started in the 1930s and ended in the late 1930s or mid-1940s. The Great Depression had horrible effects on rich and poor countries. International trade fell by 50%, while personal income, tax revenues, profits and prices fell. Cities with heavy industry were hit by the effects of the Great Depression. Farms and rural areas have suffered as crop prices have fallen by 60%. Most economies recovered by the mid-1930s, but some did not recover until after World War II. Farms were hit hardest as crop prices plummeted by 60%. Many farmers were kicked out of their homes because they couldn't pay their grocery or housing bills. The weather also made it difficult for farmers. Dust, insects, summer heat and winter cold affect farms. When drought, heat, dust, and locusts destroyed crops, farmers were left without money. Large numbers of farmers left the Great Plains due to the Depression. John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902 and lived in Salinas, California. John Steinbeck attended Stanford University but left without a degree in 1925. He became a professional author. His aim was to write about the Great Depression. Steinbeck grew up in Salinas, California, a culturally diverse place with much immigrant history. This added a regional style to his writing. Ben Joravsky is a professional writer from Chicago, Illinois. His purpose in writing is to entertain his readers. Lee Hopkins was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He earned a master's degree from Bank Street College of Education. Its aim was to educate children and adolescents. The Grapes of Wrath is a wonderful book. At the beginning, when Tom Joad is released from prison... from the middle of the paper... from the beginning to the end of Grapes of Wrath. I thought the Great Depression was only bad for farmers, but I realized it was hard on all Americans. My thoughts said that the Great Depression hadn't been that bad for all Americans, but now, after reading, I knew it was hard on all Americans. I would recommend The Grapes of Wrath to others. The story caught my attention. I really liked The Grapes of Wrath, I would give it an 8/10 because it was really interesting. Hoop Dreams I would not recommend to others. This book was boring and nothing interesting really happened. I would rate Hoop Dreams as a 4.25/10. I wouldn't even recommend America at War unless the person really likes war and poetry. It was boring and the poems seemed to go on forever. But he taught me a lot about war and poverty. I would rate America at War a 6/10 because it taught me.