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beckerz311's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting to hear about the different stories that were going on during the 1960s...
mojostdennis's review against another edition
3.0
popsugar challenge 2022: read a book with an onomatopoeia in the title
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Some parts of this book aged like milk, but it was still worth the time as a whole.
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Some parts of this book aged like milk, but it was still worth the time as a whole.
dougsasser's review against another edition
4.0
Brokaw describes this one as being like a high school reunion. Person's famous and lesser known reflect on what they believe the influence of the 60s has been. Their specific role during the time period is also described. Entertainers, veterans, journalist and business leaders are featured. Brokaw does a great job of being objective and portraying a diverse cross section of the population.
solitarysoul's review against another edition
3.0
Long. The last 200 hundred pages went faster than the first 400 but it took me forever to read. As informative as it was, something was lacking and I don't think much of it will stick with me.
meredithmc's review against another edition
4.0
this book took me a really long time to read (i started before christmas!) and i had to take breaks from it. it's a great read if you're into the 60s but it was too annoying at times - he should have interviewed more "average" people, as opposed to all the famous ones.
tonircox's review against another edition
Currently listening to this one. has a lot of information from someone who was really there in the 60's.
readlovegrow's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was about a time a few decades before I was born, but I recognized a lot of the pop culture references and some of the big-name politicians. I think my biggest take-away was when one of his interviewees said something along the lines of: "We all wanted a change, but the generation before us were too scared to stick their necks out and be the leaders we needed, so we had to figure it it out for ourselves." ---and so-- "The personal became political." Personal righteousness became the motivating force behind legislative action.
My second take-away was how some of them (being in their sixties/seventies at the time of the interviews) viewed the future. Some noting how divided the country was (this, in 2006?2007? - HA!) and how they feared it getting worse, but also hoped that something would bring the country back together (such as Senator Obama getting elected president). One man even said he thought removing the draft had only widened the gap between the military families and academic elitists. Some reflected that the lack of anti-war protest against the Iraq war (versus the Vietnam war) was due in part to "voluntary service" only affecting an inviable few (rather than country as a whole) and was seen as more "wasteful/unnecessary" than anything else.
And my last take-away was how pretty much all of the artists felt that the music/art/film "back then" used to actually *mean* something, but now its all about "money over message" --What eye-candy will make the most money?-- and all the popular books nowadays are all about making *yourself* happy with the "best" diet/job/house/partner/affirmations/hobbies, etc.
I think it's always been about that, a little, but still it is interesting to think about their broader perspectives in terms of seeing a country go from one extreme to another in just a short time.
My second take-away was how some of them (being in their sixties/seventies at the time of the interviews) viewed the future. Some noting how divided the country was (this, in 2006?2007? - HA!) and how they feared it getting worse, but also hoped that something would bring the country back together (such as Senator Obama getting elected president). One man even said he thought removing the draft had only widened the gap between the military families and academic elitists. Some reflected that the lack of anti-war protest against the Iraq war (versus the Vietnam war) was due in part to "voluntary service" only affecting an inviable few (rather than country as a whole) and was seen as more "wasteful/unnecessary" than anything else.
And my last take-away was how pretty much all of the artists felt that the music/art/film "back then" used to actually *mean* something, but now its all about "money over message" --What eye-candy will make the most money?-- and all the popular books nowadays are all about making *yourself* happy with the "best" diet/job/house/partner/affirmations/hobbies, etc.
I think it's always been about that, a little, but still it is interesting to think about their broader perspectives in terms of seeing a country go from one extreme to another in just a short time.
evamadera1's review against another edition
3.0
If goodreads allowed half stars this book would earn a 3.5 rating, slightly above average.
Many years ago I read Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" and thoroughly enjoyed his work. Since then I have read a couple other of his books and added this book to my to-read list.
The primary reason, for me, that this book did not earn four stars was Brokaw's organization. At the beginning of the book I saw clearly that each section concerned a particular theme of the Sixties. After a while, I no longer quickly understood what Brokaw's uniting factor for the various profiles was. Part of that may have been my fault as I quickly turned past the pages marking the division of sections without pausing to actually read the words on those pages. However, I think the distinctions between sections became a bit muddled at the end.
Apart from the above criticism, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Brokaw brings a relatable, conversational style to the narrative, a style honed by decades as a news reporter and anchor. I learned quite a lot about this controversial and often misunderstood era and definitely recommend this book.
Many years ago I read Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" and thoroughly enjoyed his work. Since then I have read a couple other of his books and added this book to my to-read list.
The primary reason, for me, that this book did not earn four stars was Brokaw's organization. At the beginning of the book I saw clearly that each section concerned a particular theme of the Sixties. After a while, I no longer quickly understood what Brokaw's uniting factor for the various profiles was. Part of that may have been my fault as I quickly turned past the pages marking the division of sections without pausing to actually read the words on those pages. However, I think the distinctions between sections became a bit muddled at the end.
Apart from the above criticism, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Brokaw brings a relatable, conversational style to the narrative, a style honed by decades as a news reporter and anchor. I learned quite a lot about this controversial and often misunderstood era and definitely recommend this book.
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