First published 1984
This anthology brings together American essayists examining the crucial questions of late twentieth century life. The writers dissect how politics infiltrates everyday experience and analyze what new scientific breakthroughs mean for society. They investigate the cultural transformations reshaping America while wrestling with religious faith and national identity. Environmental issues receive attention through ecological analysis, and literary critics reveal the mechanics of the writing craft. Historical moments get reexamined from contemporary angles. Each contributor offers a unique lens on the American experience during this period. The collection spans multiple academic fields, giving readers exposure to varied intellectual approaches to significant topics. Rather than providing neat conclusions, these essayists embrace nuance and contradiction, constructing a complex portrait of American thinking that captures both the doubts and opportunities of their era.
Genres: essays, anthologies, american, academic
Vibes: intimate, nuanced, thought-provoking
Tropes: varied-intellectual-approaches
Setting: America
Period: Late 20th Century
283 pages · Hardcover · Viking Adult