1963: That Was the Year That Was

by Andrew Cook

Overview

While we conveniently package the past into decades when talking about the ‘Roaring ’20s’, ‘the Rock and Roll era’ of the ’50s or the ‘Swinging ’60s’, these tend to be labels of convenience rather than of historical accuracy. In reality, the first four years of the 1950s were more akin to the 1940s, with austerity and rationing still facts of every-day life. Likewise, the first three years of the ’60s were, in terms of fashion, social attitudes and living standards, really part of the 1950s. The year 1963 was to be the seminal year when most of the things we now associate with the ‘Swinging ’60s’ really began.

Most years are fortunate to experience three or four seminal events during their allotted twelve months; a cursory look through a chronology of 1963, however, shows just how many significant events took place. This year alone saw a huge number of watershed moments in popular culture, national and international politics.

Arranged in a chronological, month-by-month format, 1963: That Was the Year That Was pieces together these happenings, exploring their immediate and long-term effects and implications. This is a fascinating read for both those who lived through these momentous times, and those who want to learn more about the start of the swinging ’60s.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781803996899
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Andrew Cook is an author and TV consultant with a degree in History & Ancient History. He was a programme director of the Hansard Scholars Programme for the University of London. Andrew has written for The Times, Guardian, Independent, BBC History Magazine and History Today. His previous books include On His Majesty’s Secret Service (Tempus, 2002); Ace of Spies (Tempus, 2003); M: MI5’s First Spymaster (Tempus, 2006); The Great Train Robbery (THP, 2013); and 1963: That Was the Year That Was (THP, 2013).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 7

Introduction 9

Timeline 11

1 January - Ice Box Britain 17

2 February - Please Please Me 30

3 March - End of the Line 40

4 April - Ban the Bomb 56

5 May - It's All in the Game 64

6 June - Scandal 74

7 July - The Unthinkable 84

8 August - I Have a Dream 95

9 September - Thunderball 109

10 October - It's My Party 120

11 November - Conspiracy of One 125

12 December - Capitol Asset 140

Appendices 145

Source Notes 178

Bibliography 183

Index 186