The Student Revolution: A Global Confrontation

by Joseph A. Califano Jr.

In early 1969 Joseph A. Califano, Jr., President Johnson's top domestic assistant, traveled on a Ford Foundation grant to London, Paris, Bonn, Berlin, Rome, Israel, Kenya, Tanzania, India, and Japan to look at the problem of student unrest abroad. This book is not only a report on those problems and an analysis of the common elements of that unrest--it also reflects on the lessons of the author's experience in the United States. Mr. Califano proposes a greater role for the young in matters that affect them. He makes specific proposals about our draft boards, our educational system, our political process. And he asks our students to "remember that it is one thing to fight for freedom where it does not exist, and quite another to abuse it where it does." The book is a thoughtful exploration of the worldwide and profound nature of the crisis that besets youth. Professor Charles Frankel of Columbia University writes: "It distills the basic common sense of the issues raised by the world-wide student disturbances. People who see only one side of the story can read this book with great profit."

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Emma Nohara-LeClair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective of radical student movements 55+ years ago across 10 countries. “To say that youth is what’s happening is absurd. Everyone is nineteen, only at different times” -- fascinating to see how similar we are to students 55 years ago. Also, I had no idea that the voting age was only recently moved up from 21 to 18. -1 star for sexism

[Brit Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright but very dry as it was written from an academic stand point and not from someone that was actually in any of the movements.
Regardless, I still learned a bit and moved quickly through it as it's not a very thick book at all and an easy read.