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janey's review
3.0
Although this started out at a slow pace, the later sections on cultural representations as reflecting the overarching position of and attitudes toward the working class were interesting and held my attention. At the same time, I'm not completely sure I buy the premise that television, film, and popular music are accurate reporters of class struggle.
jsisco's review
4.0
The first two chapters can be quite dull unless you're invested in labor unions, but the real strength here is in his political and economic analysis of the 1970s. Those chapters are fascinating in a way the rest of the book simply cannot replicate.
I enjoy critical views on film and music as much as the next person, but I must admit he leans on this concept a bit too much in the book, and it becomes quite tiresome. One can only read so much about how angry white men were in movies of the time.
I enjoy critical views on film and music as much as the next person, but I must admit he leans on this concept a bit too much in the book, and it becomes quite tiresome. One can only read so much about how angry white men were in movies of the time.
margaretefg's review
5.0
This book was a great clarifier for me, focusing how I think about this period and the entire period from the 1930s to the Reagan era (and today). I'm still wrapping my mind around Cowie's idea that New Deal liberalism was more an exceptional moment, than a new order. The book is very convincing, well-researched, weaving together stories of the rise and fall of unions (and union infighting, union politicking, etc); politics (great descriptions of the McGovern campaign and of Nixon); race and class; movies and songs.
dancpharmd's review
4.0
4.5 stars. A great look at the 70s through the prism of the working-class and organized labor. It sounds as dry as stale bread, but it was quite the contrary.
aloyokon's review
4.0
A look at 1970s America through a class lenses, as the politics and culture of the country shifts from a New Deal era to a more conservative dispensation of the 80s and beyond.