Few conventions were left unchallenged in the 1970s as Americans witnessed
a decade of sweeping social, cultural, economic, and political upheavals.
The fresh anguish of the Vietnam War, the disillusion-ment of Watergate,
the recession, and the oil embargo all contributed to an era of social
movements, political mistrust, and not surprisingly, rich cultural diversity.
It was the "Me Decade," a reaction against 60s radicalism reflected in
fashion, film, the arts, and music. Songs of the Ramones, the Sex Pistols,
and Patti Smith brought the aggressive punk-rock music into the mainstream,
introducing teenagers to rebellious punk fashions. It was also the decade
of disco: Who can forget the image of John Travolta as Tony Manero in
Saturday Night Fever, decked out in a three-piece white leisure suit with
his shirt collar open, his hand points towards the heavens as the lighted
disco floor glares defiantly below him?

While the turbulent decade ushered in Ms. magazine, Mood rings, Studio 54,
Stephen King horror novels, and granola, it was also the decade in which
over 25 million video game systems made their way into our homes, allowing
Asteroids and Pac-Man games to be played out on televisions in living rooms
throughout the country. Whether it was the boom of environmentalism or the
bust of the Nixon administration and public life as we knew it, the era
represented a profound shift in American society and culture.

Features:

This compelling book chronicles the significant changes in our country
during the 70s, from the women's
and civil rights movements to the energy crisis. Chapters explore various
aspects of popular culture,
including advertising, literature, leisure activities, visual arts, and
travel. Supplemental resources include
a timeline of important events, cost comparisons, and an extensive
bibliography for further reading.

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