The End of the Innocence: The 1964-1965 New York World's Fair

by Lawrence R. Samuel

From April 1964 to October 1965, some 52 million people from around the world flocked to the New York World’s Fair, an experience that lives on in the memory of many individuals and in America’s collective consciousness. Taking a perceptive look back at “the last of the great world’s fairs,” Samuel offers a vivid portrait of this seminal event and of the cultural climate that surrounded it. He also counters critics’ assessments of the fair as the “ugly duckling” of global expositions. Opening five months after President Kennedy’s assassination, the fair allowed millions to celebrate international fellowship while the conflict in Vietnam came to a boil. This event was perhaps the last time so many from so far could gather to praise harmony while ignoring cruel realities on such a gargantuan scale. This world’s fair glorified the postwar American dream of limitless optimism even as a counterculture of sex, drugs, and rock `n` roll came into being. It could rightly be called the last gasp of that The End of the Innocence. Samuel’s work charts the fair from inception in 1959 to demolition in 1966 and provides a broad overview of the social and cultural dynamics that led to the birth of the event. It also traces thematic aspects of the fair, with its focus on science, technology, and the world of the future. Accessible, entertaining, and informative, the book is richly illustrated with contemporary photographs.

Genres: History, New York, Nonfiction

243 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2007

About the author

Lawrence R. Samuel is the founder of Culture Planning LLC, a Miami– and New York–based resource offering cultural insight to Fortune 500 organizations. He is the author of The End of the Innocence: The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, Future: A Recent History, Rich: The Rise and Fall of American Wealth Culture, Freud on Madison Avenue: Motivation Research and Subliminal Advertising in America, Supernatural America: A Cultural History, and a number of other books.

Reviews

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting, if a little slow in parts. I was there, albeit only 3 or 4 (I don't remember which year we went). I have the vaguest memories of seeing the Unisphere and riding on the giant tire and I had a brontosaurus from the Sinclair exhibit whose head I chewed on (my sister had a T-Rex). If my dad's slide collection ever gets digitized, maybe seeing them will spark a few more memories. Overall a good read, just wish there had been more photos.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, but I wish Lawrence Samuel would have dealt more with the direction the country actually headed which was not at all as most of the exhibits at this fair predicted. Most of them were conservative or wrong directional with their views of the future. The title suggests that there was a pervasive spirit of innocence, but surely the imminent social upheavals to follow were planted by this time.

[Marcin Wichary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly detailed and fascinating. Biggest complain: time machine not included.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up repeatedly watching Men In Black, I was familiar with some of the remaining structures at Flushing Meadows from the '64 World's Fair and was curious to learn more about it. This book provided me with as much or more than I'd ever want to know about the Fair, its preparation, and the role of Robert Moses in shaping the Fair as well as a lot of other parks and transportation infrastructure in New York City.

I'd like sometime to actually visit the site of the Fair, and imagine the spectacle that this must have been. The author provides great context for the world and local politics that drove different aspects of the Fair, and some of the unique aspects of this fair vs. previous and subsequent ones.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very detailed look at the fair, from its inception to completion. This was written in almost text book form, but still readable. It was interesting to learn about the history of the fair as well as the history of what was happening in NY at that time as well. So many names that I recognize today had a hand in the fair.

[Ben Serviss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good comprehensive look at the fair, even if it does devolve into laundry lists of the exhibits at times.

[Jenny E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were more interesting than others. Some parts were slow for me.

[Craig Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfectly serviceable history of the World's Fair. Duplicates (or vice versa) the information in Tiresi' Tomorrow-Land, which does a better job placing the Fair in social context.

[Amy Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and interesting, even if it oftentimes is just reading off numbers and quotes.

[Chris Aylott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite its university press origins, this is a surprisingly readable and fun account of the New York World's Fair of 1964 and 1965. Samuels relies on contemporary accounts instead of fading memories, which gives the story a sense of immediacy, more like journalism than history.

He also brings out the contradictions inherent in the project, which was simultaneously a commercial boondoggle, a critical failure, a popular success, and a huge boost to the economy of New York City. It looked to the future, but did so through an already out-of-date lens of 1950s culture and aspirations. You could probably write half a dozen books about the different aspects of the Fair and the world that created it, so Samuels can only scratch the surface here, but what he digs up is entertaining and insightful.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in New York, right opposite the truly incredible Unisphere from the 1964-64 World's Fair that still stands today, and was engrossed by every page. This is an excellent book that tells the story of the Fair from its conception to its aftermath; the behind-the-scenes drama to the incredible pavilions and exhibits that wowed the millions who visited the Fair and the legacy and significance of the Fair since it ended. A truly great read if you love World's Fair's and the promise of "A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow", as the GE Pavilion promised fair goers 50 years ago.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is arranged in two parts. The first part is more the “official” history of the event, starting with the original idea, the initial planning for the fair, Robert Morris’s takeover of the project and the problems that occurred during the construction and run of the event. The second part shows how the general public enjoyed and remembered the fair, which was a success in their opinion. The book is a great retelling of the event which still resonates in popular culture.

[Kelasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings back memories of my youth . . .

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very readable book on everything you could possibly want to know about the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.

[Farrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldnt get into it. I just want to read about Disney but I just couldnt keep my attention on the book and the parts without disney.