The Dream and the Nightmare: The Sixties' Legacy to the Underclass - Softcover

Magnet, Myron

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0688135129 ISBN 13: 9780688135126

Publisher: Quill, 1994

Synopsis

Myron Magnet's The Dream and the Nightmare argues that the radical transformation of American culture that took place in the 1960s brought today's urban underclass into existence. Changed beliefs and lifestyle experimentation among the white middle class produced often catastrophic changes in attitudes toward marriage and childbearing, the work ethic and dependency among those at the bottom of the social ladder, and closed down their pathways to better lives. Texas Governor George W. Bush's presidential campaign recently highlighted the continuing importance of The Dream and the Nightmare when Bush told the Wall Street Journal it was the most important book he'd ever read with the exception of the Bible. Bush's chief strategist Karl Rove cites the book as a road map to the governor's philosophy of "compassionate conservatism.

About this title

From the Publisher

Myron Magnet's The Dream and the Nightmare argues that the radical transformation of American culture that took place in the 1960s brought today's underclass-overwhelmingly urban, dismayingly minority-into existence. Lifestyle experimentation among the white middle class produced often catastrophic changes in attitudes toward marriage and parenting, the work ethic and dependency in those at the bottom of the social ladder and closed down their exits to the middle class. Texas Governor George W. Bush's presidential campaign recently highlighted the continuing importance of The Dream and the Nightmare when Bush strategist Karl Rove cited this book as a road map to the governor's philosophy of "compassionate conservatism.

When asked recently by the editors of the Wall Street Journal which book (besides the Bible) had most influenced him, this is what Gov. George W. Bush said:
"The Dream and the Nightmare by Myron Magnet crystallized for me the impact the failed culture of the sixties had on our values and society. It helped create dependency on government, undermine family and eroded values which had stood the test of time and which are critical if we want a decent and hopeful tomorrow for every single American."

About the Author

Myron Magnet is the editor of City Journal, the Manhattan Institute's quarterly magazine of urban affairs.

About this edition

• Publisher: Quill
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0688135129
• ISBN 13: 9780688135126
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256