Bergman, Andrew, We're in the Money: Depression America and Its Films, Ivan R. Dee, 1992.

This books looks at how Hollywood films in the 1930s helped support various American institutions and myths, such as individual success and capitalism.

Perelman, S. J., Acres and Pains, Burford Books, 1999.

The humor writer S. J. Perelman was West's brother- in-law and financially supported West during some of his leaner years. In this book, originally published in 1947, the author pokes fun at himself and his attempts to adjust his city-boy ways to life in the country.

Sklar, Robert, Movie-Made America: A Cultural History of American Movies, Vintage Books, 1994.

When this book was originally published in 1975, critics hailed it as the ultimate source on the history of American films and how films have shaped American values. The author has revised and updated the content for this edition.

Terkel, Studs, Hard Times: An Oral...