This single volume reference work focuses on selected events and individuals that defined a generation of Americans. The Baby Boomer generation refers to the children born between 1946 and 1964. These were considered the post‐Second World War years when there was an increase in the birth rate following the return of servicemen. During this period there were approximately 76 million children born in the USA. Due to the force of their numbers, Baby Boomers had a significant impact on American society, culture, and politics.
Martin Gitlin, a freelance book writer and journalist, presents selected social, political, and historical events that impacted Baby Boomers from 1946 to the present day. The entries represent individuals, topics, and events that influenced them as well as illustrate their impact on American society. In his introduction, Gitlin discusses the circumstances that made this generation different from the one before it and any since. Therefore, the book includes some of the events in their childhood and young adult years that played a role in their outlooks and actions. This generation felt no obligation to accept the status quo and tended to question everything they had been taught. Baby Boomers who were young adults in the 1960s and 1970s had idealistic views that appeared to reject materialism and competition. Cultural revolutions began in earnest during these years. But, as they grew older, financial reality and the desire to improve professional status combined to motivate their materialistic sides in the 1980s. Political conservatism began to rise at this time and many Baby Boomers voted for Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election.
This encyclopedia is well organized and easy to use. Gitlin's introductory essays describe the generation's notable characteristics and provide insight into the entries chosen for inclusion. Following the introduction is a chronological list of key events for Baby Boomers spanning from 1945 to 2010. The main section of the encyclopedia has 93 entries that cover a wide range of subjects including arts and culture, economy and jobs, lifestyles, politics and activism, entertainment, religion, and sports. The alphabetical entries range from one to three pages in length. A small number of entries are complemented by photographs. Many of the essays have cross‐references to related entries. Bibliographic citations are given at the end of entries for further research. They include books, articles, and websites. A selected bibliography and an index complete the volume.
The easily readable entries provide basic information on American social history from 1946 to 2010. The collection covers mainly social and cultural information for well‐known persons and events. Topical essays range from general subjects such as racism to more specific subjects such as Woodstock. Both deceased and living persons are included. The arts and culture entries cover television programs, movies, sports players, entertainers, musicians, and authors. Examples of these entries are the Beatles, Johnny Carson, Norman Mailer, Joe Namath, and Dustin Hoffman. Topical entries on several cultural revolutions and philosophies of the era include the Civil Rights Movement, Free Speech Movement, Women's Movement, Idealism, and Conservatism. Personal lifestyles are explored as well in entries on dating, parenting, religion, career changes, drug use, marriage, and health care. While not as prevalent in this collection, the politically oriented entries include the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr, the Vietnam War, Watergate, elections, and terrorism. There are separate entries on some of the US presidents during these years such as Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Others such as Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford are mentioned in various topics, but there are no individual entries for them.
The e‐book version available through the publisher's web site was used for this review, but the book is also available in print. The e‐book was easily navigated and one could choose to browse through the pages or select a section from the contents list. Keyword searching is offered along with an advanced search option that allowed more precise searches as well as subject and date limiters. Printing and e‐mailing options are available for selections. A dictionary link and a citation style sheet are additional reference tools provided.
This encyclopedia is not meant to be an exhaustive collection of events, persons, and trends that affected the USA during these years. It will prove most useful to undergraduate students seeking an introduction to the popular events and figures of this era in American society. The numerous bibliographical references lead to other resources necessary for more in‐depth research.
