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A review by jlancasta
America Divided: The Civil War of the 1960s by Maurice Isserman, Michael Kazin
4.0
This is a pretty solid book. Looks at a lot of the huge issues in the sixties. Especially was shocked to read about the Vietnam war (to put it lightly: it was a fucking moral catastrophe)
It's weird to read about the sixties. Because in many ways it feels like I am reading a mirror that is reflecting backwards at us now. I am inclined to think our stakes are higher now than they were back then: I mean we have climate change, we have an absolutely horrible issue with immigration, we have unarmed black people being killed by police officers who consistently face no charges. We have what I see as, our current president flirting with fascism.
But nevertheless, you read about Watts, civil rights, and activist movement. It all feels so damn familiar. Hell, even reading about George Wallace, whose campaign reminds me of a certain politician who shall remain nameless, but name rhymes with Ronald Frump. I think we've just traded an immoral war for a pandemic.
We also see an origin story of modern conservatism as we know it. Pretty safe to say 1968 we see a rightward turn in this country that has been trending right of center for a long time. I think the book shows us a weird reflection of our current selves.
It's weird to read about the sixties. Because in many ways it feels like I am reading a mirror that is reflecting backwards at us now. I am inclined to think our stakes are higher now than they were back then: I mean we have climate change, we have an absolutely horrible issue with immigration, we have unarmed black people being killed by police officers who consistently face no charges. We have what I see as, our current president flirting with fascism.
But nevertheless, you read about Watts, civil rights, and activist movement. It all feels so damn familiar. Hell, even reading about George Wallace, whose campaign reminds me of a certain politician who shall remain nameless, but name rhymes with Ronald Frump. I think we've just traded an immoral war for a pandemic.
We also see an origin story of modern conservatism as we know it. Pretty safe to say 1968 we see a rightward turn in this country that has been trending right of center for a long time. I think the book shows us a weird reflection of our current selves.