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A review by dansbooks
Stayin' Alive: The 1970s and the Last Days of the Working Class by Jefferson R. Cowie
3.0
This is really two books in one: a history/analysis of the decline of the working class and the labor movement in the '70s and the crafting of and implication of Richard Nixon's strategy to bring the white working class into the Republican fold; and a tour of the reflection of the American worker in the popular culture (especially music and film) of the time.
For me, at least, the first was far more engaging and insightful than the second: fresh with insights and, unfortunately, close parallels to contemporary politics. Also a definite improvement on earlier studies (especially the Edsalls' Chain Reaction. The second was the stuff of college essays. So - very much worth reading, especially if you breeze through parts.
For me, at least, the first was far more engaging and insightful than the second: fresh with insights and, unfortunately, close parallels to contemporary politics. Also a definite improvement on earlier studies (especially the Edsalls' Chain Reaction. The second was the stuff of college essays. So - very much worth reading, especially if you breeze through parts.