Description
Book SynopsisThe unexpected surge in the birthrate between 1946 and 1964 transformed American society. A nation that had projected a population peaking at 150 million, and feared a renewal of the Great Depression in the wake of World War II, found itself dealing with a booming economy and 70 million children straining the capacity of everything from schools to new suburban housing. In Boomers, Victor Brooks chronicles the peaceful children's "invasion" of America that occurred from Dr. Spock to Woodstock. He identifies the challenge of parenthood in an era of large families and overcrowded homes, and explores the home life, leisure activities, and school environment of children who grew up during the cold war years. A major theme of Boomers is the influence on children of a newly energized American popular culture, including television, film, popular music, and toys.
Trade ReviewAn intriguing survey, this is recommended for . . . popular history and social issues. * Midwest Book Review *
[Boomers] is packed with historical, demographic and cultural insights about the 'largest generation,' if not 'The Greatest.' -- John Hardisty
For many older readers, the book offers a highly evocative stroll through memory lane, with captivating references to fads, movies, music, television shows, and toys. Boomers identifies several distinctive features of a postwar childhood, such as the importance of neighborhood-based peer groups; the significance of negotiation and bargaining in large families; the Cold War tensions that colored childhood; and the sense of a common generational identity fostered in schools and by television, movies, and music. . . . Brooks's book is one of a number of new or forthcoming books which will help us move beyond myth, caricature, nostalgic memories, and gross overgeneralization and better understand the lasting imprint of an age cohorts' upbringing and formative experiences. * American Studies *
Table of ContentsPreface Prologue Chapter 1: Genesis of the Baby Boom Chapter 2: Home and Family in Early Postwar America Chapter 3: School Daze: From Split Shifts to Sputnik Chapter 4: Leisure World Chapter 5: Sibling Rivalry Chapter 6: Camelot Kids Chapter 7: Boomers in Transition: High School to College Chapter 8: Growing Up in the Great Society Chapter 9: Challenging the Establishment Chapter 10: The Summer of '69 and Beyond Chapter 11: A Good Time to Grow Up
