America Transformed
Sixty Years of Revolutionary Change, 1941–2001

This 2006 book examines the period 1941–2001 during which time the character of American life changed rapidly.

Richard M. Abrams (Author)

9780521722117, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 March 2008

366 pages
23.4 x 16.6 x 2.2 cm, 0.53 kg

'America Transformed is a cogent and provocative synthesis of our nation's history since World War II. It provides a crisp account of dramatic changes that have occurred in diverse dimensions of American life, while also conveying deep, and disturbing, reservations about the recent trajectory of American policy, both domestic and international.' Alex Keyssar, Harvard University

America has seen a multitude of transformations since its founding. This 2006 book examines the period 1941–2001 during which time the character of American life changed rapidly, culminating in the shattering of the Liberal Democratic coalition. Revolutions in the areas of affluence, foreign policy, the military, business systems, racial relations, gender roles, sexual behavior and attitudes, and disregard for privacy are discussed. Rather than cite historical facts as they occurred, America Transformed analyzes them and offers a fresh and often controversial perspective. Abrams' draws on a wealth of published sources to highlight his original arguments on McCarthyism, the Cold War, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, and Johnson, to name a few topics. The synthesis of information and the depth of insight are simply unparalleled in any other book of American social history from 1941–2001.

Part I. Retrospect: 1. 'The American Century'
2. Before the revolutions
3. The challenge of power
4. The inflation of moral possibilities
5. The generational chasm
Part II. Eight Revolutions: 6. Affluence
7. From isolation to hegemonic power
8. The rise of the military
9. The reorganization of the business system
10. The revolution in racial relations
11. The revolution in gender roles
12. Revolution in sexual behavior and attitudes
13. The demise of privacy
Part III. Counterrevolution: 14. Collapse of the Liberal Democratic coalition
15. Liberalism: ascension and declension
16. The Liberal Democratic coalition
17. The failure syndrome
18. Rise of the New Left and birth of 'neoconservatism'
19. Right-wing ascendancy
20. The Reagan revolution
21. Summary
Part IV. 'The New American Century'.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], History of the Americas [HBJK]