Make Love, Not War

Make Love, Not War examines the sexual revolution in America during the 1960s through extensive research and first-hand accounts. David Allyn traces the dramatic social changes that transformed attitudes about sexuality, relationships, and personal freedom during this pivotal decade. The book explores key developments including the birth control pill, changing obscenity laws, the rise of sex education, and evolving views on premarital sex. Allyn draws on interviews, archival materials, and contemporary media to reconstruct how these shifts played out across American society. This historical account places the sexual revolution within the broader context of 1960s social movements, from civil rights to women's liberation to anti-war protests. The narrative follows both prominent figures who shaped public discourse and ordinary Americans navigating rapidly changing social norms. The work presents the sexual revolution as a complex phenomenon that fundamentally altered American culture, raising enduring questions about personal autonomy, social values, and the relationship between private behavior and public life.

Readers found the book provided detailed research into sexual attitudes and changes during the 1960s sexual revolution, drawing from interviews and primary sources. Positives from reviews: - Deep examination of connections between politics and sexuality - Strong use of first-hand accounts and oral histories - Clear chronological organization of cultural shifts - Balanced perspective on both benefits and drawbacks of sexual liberation Common criticisms: - Too academic and dense for casual readers - Focuses mainly on white, middle-class experiences - Some passages read like lists of facts without analysis - Limited coverage of LGBTQ perspectives Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 reviews) "Thorough but dry" notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states "fascinating primary research but needed more diverse voices." Library Journal praised the oral history approach but noted the writing "can be repetitive."

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🔸 The book's title "Make Love, Not War" originated from a button designed by two Columbia University students in 1965 and quickly became one of the most recognizable protest slogans of the era. 🔸 David Allyn conducted over 150 personal interviews with people who lived through the sexual revolution, including activists, doctors, clergy members, and ordinary citizens. 🔸 The sexual revolution coincided with the introduction of the first oral contraceptive pill, which was approved by the FDA in 1960 and was being used by more than 6.5 million American women by 1965. 🔸 Prior to writing this book, author David Allyn taught history at Princeton University and served as CEO of Oliver Scholars, a nonprofit organization helping high-achieving Black and Latino students. 🔸 The book details how the introduction of Playboy magazine in 1953 marked a significant turning point in mainstream attitudes toward sexuality, selling over 50,000 copies of its first issue despite significant controversy.