Charles A. Reich

Charles Alan Reich (1928-2019) was an American legal scholar and author who achieved widespread recognition for his 1970 bestseller "The Greening of America." The book, which first appeared as excerpts in The New Yorker, captured the zeitgeist of 1960s counterculture and became an influential critique of American society and consciousness. Reich's academic career was rooted in prestigious institutions. After graduating from Oberlin College, he attended Yale Law School, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal. He later clerked for Supreme Court Justice Hugo L. Black and worked at prominent law firms before joining Yale Law School's faculty. Prior to his most famous work, Reich established himself in legal scholarship with writings on property rights and individual liberty in the modern state. His 1964 article "The New Property" became a landmark piece in legal theory, influencing Supreme Court decisions and contemporary understanding of government benefits as property rights. The impact of "The Greening of America" extended beyond academic circles, making Reich a significant voice in public discourse about social change and consciousness. His analysis of what he termed "Consciousness III" - a new way of thinking that rejected both traditional corporate values and radical left politics - resonated with readers during a period of profound cultural transformation in American society.

Readers view Reich primarily through "The Greening of America," which polarizes reviewers across decades. On Goodreads, the book maintains a 3.7/5 rating from 300+ readers. Positive reviews highlight: - Accurate predictions about corporate power and technology - Clear analysis of 1960s cultural shifts - Personal impact on readers' worldviews during the era One reader noted: "Reich captured exactly how my generation felt about changing consciousness" Common criticisms include: - Overly optimistic/naive political predictions - Dated cultural references - Dense academic writing style Several Amazon reviewers called it "hopelessly idealistic" His legal writings receive more consistent praise in academic circles. "The New Property" continues to be cited in law reviews and journals, with scholars noting its influence on property rights theory. Recent reviews on academic forums appreciate Reich's prescience about corporate influence but question his solutions. A 2018 review on JSTOR stated: "Reich identified problems we still grapple with, even if his answers now seem simplistic."

The Greening of America (1970) A sociological analysis of American society that examines three levels of consciousness and argues for a new way of thinking that emerged from 1960s counterculture.

The New Property (1964) A legal article exploring how government benefits and licenses should be considered property rights, influencing subsequent Supreme Court decisions and legal theory.

The Sorcerer of Bolinas Reef (1976) A personal memoir describing Reich's journey of self-discovery and his critique of conventional social and professional life in America.

Opposing the System (1995) An examination of how economic and political power structures affect individual freedom and social justice in modern America.

Herbert Marcuse - His critique of industrial society and consumer culture in "One-Dimensional Man" parallels Reich's analysis of consciousness and social transformation. His work examines how modern capitalism shapes human consciousness and behavior, similar to Reich's focus on societal consciousness.

Theodore Roszak - As the author who coined the term "counterculture" in "The Making of a Counter Culture," he analyzes many of the same social movements Reich explored. His examination of youth culture and social change in the 1960s provides complementary perspectives to Reich's work.

Christopher Lasch - His analysis of American culture in "The Culture of Narcissism" builds on themes Reich introduced about societal transformation. His work focuses on the psychological impact of social change on American character and consciousness.

Paul Goodman - His book "Growing Up Absurd" examines youth alienation and social criticism during the same period Reich wrote about. His analysis of education and social institutions provides similar insights into the transformation of American society.

Ivan Illich - His critiques of modern institutions in works like "Deschooling Society" align with Reich's examination of societal structures. His analysis of how institutions affect human consciousness and behavior connects directly to Reich's theories about consciousness and social change.