Acclaimed national security columnist and noted cultural critic Fred Kaplan looks past the 1960s to the year that really changed AmericaWhile conventional accounts focus on the sixties as the era of pivotal change that swept the nation; Fred Kaplan argues that it was 1959 that ushered in the wave of tremendous cultural; political; and scientific shifts that would play out in the decades that followed. Pop culture exploded in upheaval with the rise of artists like Jasper Johns; Norman Mailer; Allen Ginsberg; and Miles Davis. Court rulings unshackled previously banned books. Political power broadened with the onset of Civil Rights laws and protests. The sexual and feminist revolutions took their first steps with the birth control pill. America entered the war in Vietnam; and a new style in superpower diplomacy took hold. The invention of the microchip and the Space Race put a new twist on the frontier myth.Vividly chronicles 1959 as a vital; overlooked year that set the world as we know it in motion; spearheading immense political; scientific; and cultural changeStrong critical acclaim: ""Energetic and engaging"" (Washington Post); ""Immensely enjoyable . . . a first-rate book"" (New Yorker); ""Lively and filled with often funny anecdotes"" (Publishers Weekly)Draws fascinating parallels between the country in 1959 and todayDrawing fascinating parallels between the country in 1959 and today; Kaplan offers a smart; cogent; and deeply researched take on a vital; overlooked period in American history.
#304532 in Books Steele Shelby 2015-02-24 2015-02-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.63 x .88 x 5.75l; .0 #File Name: 0465066976208 pagesShame How America s Past Sins Have Polarized Our Country
Review
74 of 77 people found the following review helpful. Steele's Interpretation of What Divides Us!By Kevin Currie-KnightSteele is a favorite writer of mine; so I've been waiting for this book for some time. For those familiar with Steele; you know what to expect: a literary and theoretical reflection on the predicament of race in the United States. For better or worse - and sometimes both - Steele doesn't try to convince us as much with fact as by offering us an interpretation of the American psyche.This book; of course; is about more than the issue of race. Here; Steele tries to offer a framework for understanding the difference between the 'liberal' and 'conservative' mind. For my part; I think this is too lofty an ambition for his argument. Bu; like Steele's other works; it is challenging and thought provoking nonetheless.Steele's idea is that in the 1960's; many of the hypocrisies of the United States become laid bare: a society partly build on racism and sexism but professing to believe in equality of opportunity; that professed liberty for all but inserted itself in the affairs of other nations. In acknowledging these hypocrisies - and Steele thinks the acknowledgement was appropriate - belief in the United States and its values lost the moral authority it once had. To fill the void; that moral authority was claimed by those who challenged the values of the United States. Instead of making capitalism more just; overthrow it. Instead of civil rights movement's goal of integration into American (white) society; the Black Power movement would challenge whether that society was even worth joining.Steele does not suggest that America's loss of moral authority was wrong. But he does argue that it came with some very negative consequences; including the eschewing of freedom in favor of petitioning governments to create fairness and equity for us. Where Steele believes the proper reaction to racism and sexism was to allow oppressed groups freedom to work their way up; the new liberalism in some way chose to switch oppressors: instead of allowing blacks; women; gays; and other groups to be oppressed by discrimination; they would now be oppressed by governments who would insist that these groups couldn't do much without government help. And the tragic benefit of this new liberalism was that the former oppressors (whites; males; straights) could now atone for their sins by favoring policies like 'diversity' quotas and the like that wouldn't so much help these newly free groups; but would make everyone feel better about themselves.Two brief criticisms: first; I think Steele's thesis - that this can explain the core differences between liberals and conservatives - is probably too grand. It explains some differences; but not others. (Does it explain; for instance; why conservatives tend to be pro-life and liberals pro-choice; or the different stances on firearm regulation?) Second - and this is somewhat typical of Steele - he doesn't tend to seriously entertain counterarguments. Steele's belief in a laissez-faire conservatism - government will leave you alone; and that is enough - will be interpreted by some (generally on the left) as ignoring the reality of "structural racism." How; they will ask; do blacks and whites have equal opportunity when blacks get paid much less on average than whites; even for similar jobs; or when blacks are more likely to be arrested; injured; and even killed than whites by a difference of 8 to 1? I don't doubt that Steele could answer these questions; but he doesn't seem to seriously consider that they need addressing.All in all; though; Steele is a joy to read; and for my part; many of his interpretations of the American psyche make sense and ring true. If you haven't read him; you need to.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Why Shame is and isn't necessary in Black-White RelationsBy MaryAnnAn intimate view of Mr. Steele's journey to how he chose conservatism. His cogent arguments as to why 'white guilt' is real and in certain cases well-founded; but is not helpful to black folks and can even be a hindrance to their personal and financial growth. A terrific book.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Inspiring hopeBy Kristine H.Shelby Steele inspires hope that America still has the possibility of excellence through equal opportunity for all under the law. A must read for those who struggle to understand our current political polarization.
