Long Sixties

by Tom Hayden

In this unique and compelling book Tom Hayden argues that Barack Obama would not have been able to mount a successful presidential campaign without the movements of the 1960s. The Long Sixties shows that movements throughout history triumph over Machiavellians, gaining social reforms while leaving both revolutionaries and reactionaries frustrated. Hayden argues that the 1960s left a critical imprint on America, from civil rights laws to the birth of the environmental movement, and forced open the political process to women and people of colour. He urges President Obama to continue this legacy with a popular programme of economic recovery, green jobs and health care reform. The Long Sixties is a carefully researched history which will be of interest to activists, journalists and historians as the fiftieth anniversary of the 1960s begins.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

282 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Thomas Emmet Hayden was an American social and political activist, author, and politician.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Hayden’s best work. He starts with a great thesis (history is a struggle between Machiavellis and movements and the 1960s defined this conflict exceptionally well), but the book itself is a weird amalgamation of memoir, too much information, scattershot organization and analysis, and a second thesis (the 1960s made Obama’s election possible). It’s too much for 185 pages, and as a result, nothing quite works. On the plus side, the Sixties timeline at the back of this book is a great reference. I’ve heard that this is a precursor to a larger book Hayden is writing on the movement vs. Machiavellis dynamic, so my hope is the next book will stay on track and not try and fail to do too many things at once. Not recommended.

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, the book is written by “that” Tom Hayden – founder of the Students for a Democratic Society, member of the Chicago 8 and Jane Fonda’s ex-husband. Much like a college professor, Hayden builds a thesis then offers chapter after chapter of proof for his theory. The Sixties (and the years after), he writes, were a time of “Machiavellians” (political elites) versus “the movement.” Although the elites usually emerged victorious, the movement at times pushed moderate “Machiavellians” enough to gain some concessions. – giving African-Americans voting rights, the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam or the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, for example. Had our nation escaped the assassination of key leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy, the movement might well have emerged as the victor. Hayden writes that Obama, whose victory was propelled by veterans of the various movements that blossomed in the Sixties, could be remembered as a great president if he can escape the Machiavellians attempting to preserve their power and privilege. Just as Franklin Roosevelt became a great president only after people pushing for change filled the streets, Hayden notes, progressive movements must pressure Obama to build the nation many fought for during the long, long Sixties.

[Craig Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this book long ago. Given Hayden's importance to the decade, a book of his reflections with a solid historical foundation would seem to have attracted more than passing attention. Maybe because he'd written about the story in various formats so many times before. The book itself was worth the read. The three historical chapters provide a cogent tour of major events, unsurprisingly emphasizing the white left with attention to its connections with the civil rights movement and international radicalism. The concluding chapter on what amounts to the afterlives of Sixties movements is selective, but intelligent in providing a narrative of how a certain idea of the Sixties played out.

[Lonnie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains the significance of SDS and SNCC to the development of Barack Obama's presidential career.