Robert S McElvaine, The Times They Were a-Changin' 1964, the Year the Sixties Arrived and the Battle Lines of Today Were Drawn, Skyhorse Publishing, Arcade 2022.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.

This is a timely book, providing as it does, an excellent background to current political and social behaviour and events in 2020s America. McElvaine has chosen a raft of cultural, social and political events to develop his theme, that the ‘long year’ of 1964 began changes that laid the foundation for change but have also raised such challenges to long accepted bigotry and racism that there has been an immense ‘push back’ culminating in the election of former President Donald Trump, and the continuing big lie about the 2020 election of President Joe Biden.

There are twenty-one chapters, the final of which is ‘“Unmatched in the history of freedom” The rest of the long 1964 and the everlasting impact of the year.’ A key word throughout the book, ‘freedom’ appears in this title, linking back to the introduction, ‘1964 in the Context of the history of “The Land of the Free”’. It is instructive that the photo with which the introduction begins is one of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party members on Atlantic City boardwalk, August 1964. Two chants and songs, follow – with freedom as a key word – an African American spiritual, and the Chant and Song at Greenwood Mississippi Freedom House. The question that McElvaine raises: what is the sort of freedom is American freedom? For whom? What are the implications for other professed American ideals and concerns such as individualism, community, responsibility, power, the economy, the distribution of wealth, and an ethnically diverse society?

Freedom and white and black access to freedom, and the sort of freedom each coveted and achieved (or did not achieve) makes an engaging, but heartbreaking discussion; the racism permeates every chapter, providing some explanation, ugly though it is for the debates, murders, court cases and behaviour still apparent in the 2000s. McElvaine provides some valuable contributions to understanding how ingrained racism is in American society and political behaviour.

Throughout, the sexism associated with movements toward racial and economic equality, is an uncomfortable partner of otherwise thoughtful and radical movements. Chapter 7, “You Don’t Own Me” Asserting Women’s Freedom Through Song and Other Means January-September 1964, is an excellent read. It raises questions, seeks answers, and demonstrates the intricacy of the movements designed to find racial equality.

Community action is paralleled by the Republican and Democratic Parties policy aims, and their responses to demands arising from greater acknowledgement of the right to racial equality, and Presidential action. The latter is a detailed analysis of the aftermath of the assassination of John Kennedy, and Lyndon Baines Johnson’s role as President. Associated with him is the delving into the reason for the escalation of the Vietnam War, and, more enlightened, his approach to racial equality. The work on both policy decisions and arguments is developed alongside an engrossing portrayal of a President whose masculinity or understanding of masculinity drove him.

At times the book is so detailed that one of my fears was the possibility that I would miss some gem. On the other hand, why not read and reread? The arguments, examples, far ranging discussion and valuable insights make it a sensible decision to do so. It is not worth missing anything from The Times They Were a-Changin' 1964, the Year the Sixties Arrived and the Battle Lines of Today Were Drawn. I shall certainly return again and again.

Who would have thought that one year could pack such a punch? McElvaine makes a compelling case for the significance of 1964, both then and now. In the process, he gives us a fresh look at things we might take for granted, like the very definition of the word "freedom."

It certainly helped that this reader was alive for the events described and can remember most of them quite clearly. A younger reader might find this a little less compelling. And his political biases (which I largely share) came through a little too loud and clear at times. But without a doubt, I learned new facts and gained new perspectives by reading this book.

It starts with the fall of Camelot and concludes with the tragedy of the Vietnam War. "The Times They Were A-Changing" is a detailed history of some of the most turbulent days of the 1960s, which as a whole decade was quite pivotal for America. McElvaine provides an engaging history of a critical period in American history, one whose impact is still being felt today. If you are a history buff, and this is the period that interests you, then this is the book for you. I enjoyed it, up to a point. Reading about how difficult the time was for African Americans makes me angry, and somewhat disillusioned. We've come quite far in some ways, but in others we're on the hamster wheel just running but going nowhere. Also, I'm not too keen on how the author chops up the chapters. I guess the goal is to cover all the topics he wants...but at times it can be frustrating to hop from topic to topic in a given chapter. Yet still, it is a worthwhile read, and in my humble opinion, would serve as excellent required for a college course on the 1960s.

Solid writing, great notes, and detailed work. I am very pleased with this book and will be purchasing a copy for my library when it hits the publication date!