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Great Expectations
Examines the baby-boom generation whose great expectations helped transform American society
- GenresNonfictionHistory
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 27, 2020
This is really two books in one. From my edition it is not clear when the book was originally written although it looks like the early 1980s.
The first part of the book is a very good summary of what my generation did as it went forward. The chapters take each stage of development and offer lots of numbers about how Boomers affected institutions. I was born in 1946 so I am the first year of the boom.
The second part does some speculation on a couple of issues including how the generation will deal with 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Some of the conclusions are dated but many of them are quite interesting.
One other thing you get out of the book is a good understanding of how self referential the boomers have been. When we entered each phase of life we were disrupters - but Jones argues that we were the first generation to assume a very special status. He also argues that a good deal of what we did was self-referential from how we changed the ways to think about music, schools, clothing, relations - to how we pine for nostalgia. (Even imperfect pictures of it like Animal House and American Graffiti - although interestingly neither movie is actually about the boomers per se).
The first part of the book is a very good summary of what my generation did as it went forward. The chapters take each stage of development and offer lots of numbers about how Boomers affected institutions. I was born in 1946 so I am the first year of the boom.
The second part does some speculation on a couple of issues including how the generation will deal with 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Some of the conclusions are dated but many of them are quite interesting.
One other thing you get out of the book is a good understanding of how self referential the boomers have been. When we entered each phase of life we were disrupters - but Jones argues that we were the first generation to assume a very special status. He also argues that a good deal of what we did was self-referential from how we changed the ways to think about music, schools, clothing, relations - to how we pine for nostalgia. (Even imperfect pictures of it like Animal House and American Graffiti - although interestingly neither movie is actually about the boomers per se).
April 25, 2019
One of my favorite readings from my undergraduate work. It was very enlightening. I really do think that there should be a new revision now that the boomers have made it to retirement.
June 11, 2019
This is the first book I read that was about the Baby Boom generation. It's a major piece of sociology that is written for the lay person.
October 19, 2015
I read this book in the 70's and was fascinated by it. Today I look back and realize how thoroughly he 'nailed it!' From politics to culture to food and leisure and health...this was and remains a pivotal work on the impact of one cohort on this nation.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews