Generation of Vipers
1943 book by Philip Wylie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Generation of Vipers is a 1943 book by Philip Wylie. In it Wylie criticizes various aspects and beliefs of contemporary American society, including Christianity; prominent figures such as politicians, teachers, and doctors;[1] and "momism" or the adoration of mothers.
First edition | |
| Author | Phillip Wylie |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Farrar & Rinehart |
Publication date | January 1943 |
| Publication place | United States |
History
Wylie wrote the book in Miami Beach, Florida beginning on May 12, 1942 and ending on July 4, 1942; he felt disillusioned after having a job with the U.S. government providing information about World War II. The book was published in January 1943.[2]
By 1955, the book had twenty printings and a new edition came out.[3]
Reception
Mike Wallace stated in his 1957 interview of Wylie that many viewers had criticized Wylie's conclusions about mothers, and Wylie responded by stating that he was only talking about a certain type of mother.[1]
In 2005, Jonathan Yardley of the Washington Post argued that the book had not aged well in his second reading; he had first read the book in the 1960s.[2]
