The Movement: The American New Left 1959-1973

The Movement: The American New Left 1959-1973 chronicles the rise and evolution of the New Left movement in the United States during a pivotal period of social change. Through extensive research and historical documentation, Irwin Unger traces the movement from its early intellectual roots through its peak years of activism. The book examines key organizations like Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and explores how the movement responded to major events including the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and campus protests. Unger details the relationships between various activist groups and analyzes their strategies, internal conflicts, and interactions with mainstream society. This work situates the New Left within broader historical and sociological contexts, following its transformation from an initially idealistic reform movement to its eventual fragmentation. The narrative incorporates perspectives from movement leaders, participants, critics, and contemporary observers. Through his analysis, Unger presents the New Left as a complex social phenomenon that fundamentally challenged American political culture and institutions, while highlighting the recurring tensions between radical change and pragmatic reform in American protest movements.

Readers report this book provides detail about organizations and events of the New Left, though many note it lacks analysis of the movement's cultural impact. Multiple reviewers cite Unger's objectivity as a strength. Positives from reviews: - Clear chronological structure - Thorough coverage of SDS and major protests - Balanced portrayal of different factions - Useful as an academic reference Common criticisms: - Too focused on facts vs deeper meaning - Minimal discussion of women's/minority movements - Writing style can be dry - Ends abruptly in 1973 without examining legacy Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (3 reviews) "A straightforward historical account without much interpretation" - Goodreads reviewer "Good resource but misses the emotional core of the movement" - Amazon review "The details are there but the spirit is missing" - LibraryThing user

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📚 Author Irwin Unger won the Pulitzer Prize in History in 1965 for his book "The Greenback Era," demonstrating his expertise in American social movements and economic history. 🗣️ The book covers the rise and fall of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), which grew from 2,000 members in 1960 to over 100,000 by 1968. ✊ The term "New Left" was coined to distinguish this movement from the "Old Left" of the 1930s, which focused primarily on labor and economic issues rather than social justice and personal liberation. 🏛️ The Movement traces how student activism evolved from civil rights sit-ins at segregated lunch counters to massive protests against the Vietnam War on college campuses across America. 🔄 The book examines how the movement's shift from nonviolent resistance to more militant tactics in the late 1960s contributed to its eventual fragmentation and decline.