American Dreams

The second Crown family novel follows a younger generation into the speed and instability of the early twentieth century. Fritzi pursues the stage and the developing motion-picture business, Carl is drawn from automobile racing into aviation over revolutionary Mexico, and Paul uses a camera to document events that many Americans would prefer to ignore.

As the United States moves from commercial confidence towards involvement in the First World War, the Crowns encounter figures from motor racing, Hollywood, European monarchy and the Mexican Revolution. The novel treats technology as both liberation and danger: cars, aircraft and film create new careers and new audiences while also carrying the family into war, propaganda and an international crisis that changes their understanding of America.