by Tim Miller
First published 1987
On June 12, 1962, sixty young student activists gather to draft what will become The Port Huron Statement, a manifesto that will ignite ten years of political upheaval. Miller traces the major figures and ideas that formed the New Left during America's most turbulent decade. He examines how these student leaders challenged established authority and questioned the boundaries of freedom. The book follows the movement's evolution from idealistic beginnings through chaotic transformation. Miller argues that the fundamental questions raised by this generation about political freedom and cultural authority remain relevant today. As the 1960s generation assumes positions of power in politics, education, media, and business, understanding their formative ideas becomes crucial for comprehending contemporary America.
Genres: 20th-century, political-science, activism, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, social-justice
Setting: Port Huron
Period: 1962, 1960s
480 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster