When The Catcher in the Rye was first published in 1951, it ranked number one on the New York Times (Time Magazine) best-seller list. Yet it was one of the most frequently banned books in schools and libraries. Written in the late 1940s by J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenager, who is expelled from boarding school and how he spends the days before returning home, wandering New York City. Since its publication, it has been a book both adored and ostracized. However, whatever opinion one may have, one cannot deny the mark he left on history. The Catcher in the Rye is a novel that will be remembered throughout the centuries for its depiction of post-World War II life, both through history and American society's reaction to the tale. The portrayal of post-World War II American society was accurately depicted through The Adventure of Holden Caulfield throughout The Catcher in the Rye. The book exemplifies everyday American life and culture during the mid-20th century and, when read in today's context, demonstrates how American society has changed. When Holden Caulfield lives, the economy was very different from today. Holden buys a record from a record and states, “They charged me five dollars but I didn't care” (Salinger 116). This quote implies that five dollars for a record was very expensive. In contrast, in today's society, you would be lucky to find a CD for just five dollars. Movies were also becoming an increasingly popular entertainment event in the post-World War II era. Holden's first idea for a date with a girl is to take her to the theater or cinema. He stated: “I went bouncing… middle of the paper… ok banned by both schools and parents, but as a book representing America and its culture in the mid-twentieth century. After all, do people really want to prove that Holden is right when he says, “People never notice anything,” not noticing that by depriving this book, people are at a disadvantage in learning an important part of the story? Works Cited Aubrey, Timothy. "The Young Hunter: The Voice of Alienation." History Now: The Historians' Perspective 16 (2008): Web. February 26, 2011..Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston, MA: Little Brown and Company, 1951. 1-214. Print."Removing the N-Word from Huck Finn: The Ten Best Censored Books." Time Magazine January 7, 2011: 3. Web. February 26 2011. .