Historical Dictionary of the 1960s

by James S. Olson (Editor)

Overview

Few eras in U.S. history have begun with more optimistic promise and ended in more pessimistic despair than the 1960s. When JFK became president in 1960, the U.S. was the hope of the world. Ten years later American power abroad seemed wasted in the jungles of Indochina, and critics at home cast doubt on whether the U.S. was really the land of the free and the home of the brave. This book takes an encyclopedic look at the decade—at the individuals who shaped the era, the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement, the women's movement, and the youth rebellion. It covers the political, military, social, cultural, religious, economic, and diplomatic topics that made the 1960s a unique decade in U.S. history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313292712
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/30/1999
Pages:	560
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.19(d)
Lexile:	1200L (what's this?)

About the Author

JAMES S. OLSON is Professor of History and department chair at Sam Houston State University. He has written and edited many books, including The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary (1996), The Vietnam War: Handbook of the Literature and Research (1993), and Historical Dictionary of the 1920s (1988), all published by Greenwood Press.

Table of Contents

Preface
The Dictionary
Appendix: Chronology of the 1960s
Selected Bibliography of the 1960s
Index

Editorial Reviews

Olson (history, Sam Houston State U., Texas) who wrote a significant number of the entries himself, is joined by dozens of contributors, including many undergraduate students, to compile this encyclopedic look at the prominent people and places, as well as a number of social, military, diplomatic, religious, economic, and cultural topics of the 1960s in U.S. history. Entries are listed alphabetically and include items such as court cases, television programs, sports events, and national committees and conferences, in addition to the pertinent political, military, and cultural leaders of the decade. The book also includes a chronology of the 1960s and a selected bibliography, although all entries also list references. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Two historical dictionaries edited by James S. Olson are recommended picks for college-level libraries seeking references to specific eras. Historical Dictionary Of The 1960s and Historical Dictionary Of The 1970s (30543-9, $89.50) each provide an A-Z reference which includes paragraphs of basic historical detail, biographies of notable individuals, details on political and social groups of the times, and recommendations for more in-depth follow-up. Each listing includes enough facts for a basic grounding in the topic, with easy access to follow-up materials. Both are recommended picks as history library references.
—Internet Book Watch

Internet Book Watch