Williamsburg Regional Library

Hatless Jack, the president, the fedora, and the history of an American style, Neil Steinberg

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-331) and index

index present

non fiction

Hatless Jack

bibliography

56010961

Neil Steinberg

the president, the fedora, and the history of an American style

"Not so long ago, we were a country of hat wearers. Hats were tipped, raised, handed, tossed, snapped, passed, checked, waved, and eaten (metaphorically, at least). Many believe the end of this way of life was precipitated by the presidential inauguration of a bareheaded John F. Kennedy; suddenly desperate American hatters were convinced that persuading the young, charismatic new leader to wear a hat would save their declining business. Author Neil Steinberg uses January 20, 1961, as the jumping-off point for uncovering a near-forgotten slice of American history. Using a cast of famous men from Mark Twain to John Glenn, he recaptures the fascinating world of hat wearing, with its hatcheck girls, straw-hat riots, and globe-trotting fedoras taking trips in place of their owners. Hatless Jack is a fascinating look at the history of men's headwear that cuts through the mythology surrounding JFK's impact on the industry, and helps to explain the move from our formal, conformist society to one of individuality and creative expression."--Publisher's description

Introduction: "Can't you do something about this?" -- "This is for you, Alex." -- "Melancholy doom of the silk hat." -- "Somebody had to do something." -- "Never run after your own hat." -- "Your hat is YOU." -- "What! Do you stand with your hat on?" -- "The government forbids habits to the contrary." -- "Are you willing to destroy the beloved image of our country's leader?" -- "We all felt the same way." -- "Beware! The fifteenth falls on Tuesday next." -- "I kept my hat off all the time." -- "Standing in the wind and the weather."

adult