History of the United States (1918–1945) (especially poor people) and prevent inflation. Tires were the first item to be rationed in January 1942 because supplies of natural rubber were interrupted. Gasoline rationing proved an even better way to allocate scarce rubber. By 1943 one needed government issued ration coupons to purchase typewriters, sugar, gasoline, bicycles, footwear, fuel oil, silk, nylon, coffee, stoves, shoes, meat, cheese, butter, margarine, canned foods, dried fruits, jam, and many other items. Some items—like new automobiles and appliances—were no longer made. The rationing system did not apply to used goods (like clothes or cars). The ration system was complex and confusing, but
What to Expect When No One's Expecting for "The New York Review of Books". Elizabeth Kolbert discussed the book along with many others in an article for "The New Yorker" about population. Last wrote a response to Kolbert's review, and Daniel Halper concurred with Last's assessment of the review, claiming that Kolbert "gets it completely wrong." A "New York Times" article in April 2013 listed Last's book as one of many that was raising a "false alarm" about declining US fertility. What to Expect When No One's Expecting What to Expect When No One's Expecting: America's Coming Demographic Disaster is a book by the "Weekly Standard" columnist