America's Decades - The 1970s (Paperback Edition)

During the 1970s, environmental and energy issues became increasingly controversial as lines at the gas pumps took center stage. Chapters discuss, in addition to these issues, domestic issues such as racial integration and the Watergate scandal, and international conflicts such as the end of the Vietnam War and the Iranian hostage crisis.

Gr 9 Up-These volumes contain 7-to-10 page essays excerpted from books or reprinted from magazines that cover the defining domestic and international events of their respective decades. Tables, graphs, and black-and-white photographs are used sparingly, yet effectively, to supplement the texts. A brief annotation and information about the author appear prior to the essays, some of which have been edited for content and reading level. Both books cover popular culture, science and technology, domestic economy and politics, and international affairs. The 1970s has additional chapters on the environment and women's issues, while The 1980s has a chapter on the Reagan Revolution. Individual essays are on topics as varied as Watergate, AIDS, Three Mile Island, blue jeans, the changing image of the cowboy, the personal computer revolution, the creation of magnet schools, and the yuppie phenomenon in film. The language in some of the selections is sophisticated, but the books will be useful to advanced students who need thought-provoking, in-depth reading about a particular event or trend of the 20th century rather than a list of facts. Because the series will likely be used by high school and college students as well as adults, it is most appropriate for public libraries.-Leah J. Sparks, Bowie Public Library, MD

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