The Greening of America
Book written by Charles Reich in 1970 on the counterculture in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Greening of America is a 1970 book by Charles A. Reich. It is a paean to the counterculture of the 1960s and its values. Excerpts first appeared as an essay in the September 26, 1970 issue of The New Yorker.[1] The book was originally published by Random House.
Hardcover edition | |
| Author | Charles A. Reich |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Sociology |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Random House |
Publication date | 1970 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print, e-book |
| Pages | 399 pp. (hardcover) |
| Followed by | Garcia: A Signpost to New Space |
Overview
The book's argument rests on three separate types of world view:
- "Consciousness I" applies to the typical values and opinions of rural farmers and small businesspeople which dominated society in 19th century America.
- "Consciousness II" represents a viewpoint of "an organizational society", featuring meritocracy and improvement through various large institutions, the ethos of the New Deal, World War II and the 1950s Silent Generation.
- "Consciousness III" represents the worldview of the 1960s counterculture, focusing on personal freedom, egalitarianism, and recreational drugs.[2]
The book mixed sociological analysis with panegyrics to rock music, cannabis, and blue jeans, arguing that these fashions embodied a fundamental social shift.
Bestseller
The book was a best-seller in 1970 and 1971, and topped the New York Times Best Seller list on December 27, 1970, and other weeks.[3]
