Book Description:

Ariel Leve and Robin Morgan’s oral history 1963: The Year of the Revolution is the first book to recount the kinetic story of the twelve months that witnessed a demographic power shift—the rise of the Youth Quake movement, a cultural transformation through music, fashion, politics, and the arts. Leve and Morgan detail how, for the first time in history, youth became a commercial and cultural force with the power to command the attention of government and religion and shape society.

While the Cold War began to thaw, the race into space heated up, feminism and civil rights percolated in politics, and JFK’s assassination shocked the world, the Beatles and Bob Dylan would emerge as poster boys and the prophet of a revolution that changed the world.

1963: The Year of the Revolution records, documentary-style, the incredible roller-coaster ride of those twelve months, told through the recollections of some of the period’s most influential figures—from Keith Richards to Mary Quant, Vidal Sassoon to Graham Nash, Alan Parker to Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton to Gay Talese, Stevie Nicks to Norma Kamali, and many more.

My Thoughts:

I was born in November of 1963.  My mother told me that I was drinking my formula in front of the television when Walter Kronkite announced that president Kennedy was shot and again, during his funeral.  The 60’s has always been of great interest to me.  I can remember when the U.S. landed on the moon and when Neil Armstrong said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.  I remember hearing the older kids talking about the Vietnam war and my big brother enlisting because he dropped out of college.  He figured it was just a matter of time before he got drafted and was told he had a better chance of not seeing action if he enlisted.  Luckily he wasn’t sent to Vietnam.

I always thought I was born too late and that I missed out on so much, the anti-war protests, Woodstock, etc.  Yes, music from the 60’s is still my favorite.

1963: The Year of the Revelation is really pop culture icons reminiscing about the 60’s.  The heart heart of the 60’s is said to be started in 1963, hence the name of the book but the reminiscing goes into the later 60’s as well.  There are some wonderful musings by who’s who from the 60’s.  People like Eric Clapton, Gram Nash, Peter Frampton, and many more.  It certainly held my interest.  Because it is in pieces, it’s a good book to be able to read a few pages and put down.  Yes, it’s a good bathroom book. LOL!

I would have liked some more substance, perhaps some narrative between some of the quotes.  Yes, most of us know a lot of the history but perhaps adding some little known tidbits or something else to really sink my teeth into would have made it better. That said, I did find it entertaining and especially enjoyed what some of my rock idols had to say. There were some photos included in the book and a few that I hadn’t seen before.  That was a treat.  I think this book would be a great gift to a 60’s fan, like myself.  Recommended.

3.5/5

I received a print copy of this book for my honest review.