Written in the middle of one of the most kaleidoscopic decades in American history, "Deep Woods" includes almost as much hodgepodge reflecting on mankind's history as one would need to describe the 1950s—almost, but not quite. This decade is difficult to define in terms of any one great scientific invention, social movement, war, art or entertainment development, political action, or technological advancement. All these things and more occurred, causing the 1950s to stand alone in an era of innovation and changing attitudes.

After World War II, Americans in particular were anxious to keep the economic boom provided by the conflict growing ever stronger and to avoid the miserable conditions of the pre-war depression. World War II also taught Americans that science could have a greater impact on the lives of ordinary citizens than they had ever imagined. The atomic bomb brought a mixture of fear...