1968: The Rise and Fall of the New American Revolution

by Robert C. Cottrell, Blaine T. Browne

The year 1968 retains its mythic hold on the imagination in America and around the world. Like the revolutionary years 1789, 1848, 1871, 1917, and 1989, it is recalled most of all as a year when revolution beckoned or threatened. On the 50th anniversary of that tumultuous year, cultural historians Robert Cottrell and Blaine T. Browne provide a well-informed, up-to-date synthesis of the events that rocked the world, emphasizing the revolutionary possibilities more fully than previous books. For a time, it seemed as if anything were possible, that utopian visions could be borne out in the political, cultural, racial, or gender spheres. It was the year of the Tet Offensive, the Resistance, the Ultra-Resistance, the New Politics, Chavez and RFK breaking bread, LBJ’s withdrawal, student revolt, barricades in Paris, the Prague Spring, SDS’ sharp turn leftward, communes, the American Indian Movement, the Beatles’ “Revolution,” the Stones’ “Street Fighting Man,” The Population Bomb, protest at the Miss America pageant, and Black Power at the Mexico City Olympics. 1968 was also the year of My Lai, the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, Warsaw Pact tanks in Czechoslovakia, the police riot in Chicago, the Tlatelolco massacre, Reagan’s belated bid, Wallace’s American Independent Party campaign, “Love It or Leave It,” and the backlash that set the stage, at year’s end, for Richard Milhous Nixon’s ascendancy to the White House. For those readers reliving 1968 or exploring it for the first time, Cottrell and Browne serve as insightful guides, weaving the events together into a powerful narrative of an America and a world on the brink.

Genres: History

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2018

About the author

Robert C. Cottrell is professor of history and American studies at Cal State Chico and has written over twenty books, including Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll.

Reviews

[Camille McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very dry but thorough and scholarly look at 1968. Even though it took me a very long time to read this book, I feel incredibly informed about 1968 and why it was such a pivotal year. I thought the organization of the book and its structure made complete sense, and I appreciated that the authors focused on each topic individually as well as putting everything together. I learned so much from this book, and it has helped me wrap my head around this historical period. I especially like that it talked of struggles in the US but also mentioned struggles all over the world, and that it included analysis of the counterculture scene. It really put everything together in a clear way. They also clearly explain the backlash against the revolutionary upheavals of 1968 and how we got to today. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in that period of history.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can anything new be said about 1968. With this year being the fiftieth anniversary of that terrible year we are being given plenty of opportunity to find out.

I picked up this book not expecting much. Designed as a series of essays about the various moments and movements that occurred in that year only some of them offer anything new or even a new perspective.

And, honestly, not every movement means as much to me as a reader, we all have our predominant interests. That said there are a couple of chapters in this book which are just magnificent in the way they are drawn and point out, what now seem, obvious correlations and analogies.

There are a few different looks in the counterculture, Yippies, The Boston Five, Draft card movements, and while not new material it is easy to see this subject deeper than you had. After reading this I am not sure if Rubin or Hoffman were more of a hindrance to the aims of war protesters or a positive in keeping the pressure on. I think it likely, however, other less self promoting individuals could have accomplished more. Even now in the day of Trump and his hateful administration I cannot understand how these young folks could have thought that burning down the Democratic convention, sealing a Nixon victory, could help their cause, and yes I know of Humphrey’s flaws. This in 2018 is n argument that is all too close to me of those people who just “ didn’t like Hillary or Trump “ and could not see a difference.

Sections on Black Power, the Panthers and the split of the SDS were very strong. While providing nothing new ( how could their be ) the chapters on the assassinations of MLK and Bobby Kennedy never fail to send one into the shock of what we lost and marvel what that spring of 68 must have felt like to the millions who saw them as dual pillars of hope for the future.

So what chapters are absolutely necessary. Two easily stand out.

“ The Whole World is Watching “ subtitled Czechago. And, quickly, you see what the author is doing. The Russian tanks rolled into Prague about a week before the start of the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. Chicago which by then was an armed camp and at which events in the next week would traumatize and permanently change a generation, a country. In only fifteen pages we are given a brief history of the events of both and the obvious correlation between two aged forms of government not willing to listen or allow any dissent from its young people. The answer in both cases, crush it with outrageous amounts of violence. It is a hurtful essay to read if one still holds illusions of America being better than other countries in our times of stress.

The other very meaningful chapter is titled “ Your Day, Of Course, Is Going To Be Over Soon “ subtitled The Backlash. Centering mostly on the campaign of George Wallace it reads, terribly, like a road map of post 1968 Republican politics. Speaking of Law and Order in a way that Nixon would only slightly modify Wallace “identifies the angry white man as a crucial constituency, while railing against hippies, black militant, war protesters, welfare cheaters, and intrusive federal government at rallies that often degenerated into riots. “

Watch your evening news, look at a Trump rally. I would like to see video of a Wallace rally with him speaking about “ pointy headed intellectuals “ and compare it to Trumps current rallies against the elite and the media.

In the end nothing changes. Did 1968 begin division such as we have now. No, we have always been divided. But the Southern strategy, the obvious stroking of racism by the Republican Party became much more overt. Reagan kicking off his 1980 campaign after the convention in Philadelphia, Mississippi might be the loudest dog whistle of our time, but Trump and Wallace are the same candidate dressed in a different suit.

We might...be in trouble.

A fantastic take in a short essay that will keep you up nights.

This book is well worth your time.

[Søren Warland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the chapters in the book are utterly fantastic and offer new insights both to people who are familiar with the period and those who are not but want to discover more. I thought the chapter on environmentalism and the conclusion were a bit weak, but overall this book is well worth your time.

[Willem Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda scattered

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done!