7 /10 1 Votes7
Language English Publication date 1970 Pages 399 pp. (hardcover) Genre Non-fiction | 3.5/5 Goodreads Subject Sociology Media type Print, e-book Originally published 1970 Country United States of America | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Followed by Garcia: A Signpost to New Space Similar Non-fiction books, Sociology books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Greening of America is a 1970 book by Charles A. Reich. It is a paean to the counterculture of the 1960s and its values. Excerpts first appeared as an essay in the September 26, 1970 issue of The New Yorker. The book was originally published by Random House.
Contents
Overview
The book's argument rests on three separate types of consciousness. "Consciousness I" applies to the world-view of rural farmers and small businesspeople that arose and was dominant in 19th century America. "Consciousness II" represents a viewpoint of "an organizational society", featuring meritocracy and improvement through various large institutions; it dominated the New Deal, World War II and 1950s generations. "Consciousness III" represents the worldview of the 1960s counterculture, focusing on personal freedom, egalitarianism, and recreational drugs.
The book mixed sociological analysis with panegyrics to rock music, cannabis, and blue jeans, arguing that these fashions embodied a fundamental shift in world view.
Bestseller
The book was a best-seller in 1970 and 1971, and topped the New York Times Best Seller list on December 27, 1970 and other weeks.