During these difficult times, when 'recession' is quickly becoming 'depression', it behoves one to read what the '30s depression was like in USA, UK, Germany, Japan etc. Can I recommend 'The Dark Valley' by Piers Brandon, pub.Jonathan Cape, 2000. This extraordinary book details the horrors ++ and leaves the reader stunned by the erudition of the author. He deserves a Nobel Prize for literature. I only wish I had written it......