Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069

by Neil Howe, William Strauss

Overview

The seminal work on generations from acclaimed authors William Strauss and Neil Howe of The Fourth Turning, and Howe's The Fourth Turning Is Here. The Strauss-Howe generational theory explains how generations evolve, and how they affect our society—from hundreds of years in the past to decades in the future.

William Strauss and Neil Howe posit the history of America as a succession of generational biographies, beginning in 1584 and encompassing everyone through the children of today. Their bold theory is that each generation belongs to one of four types, and that these types repeat sequentially in a fixed pattern. The vision of Generations allows us to plot a recurring cycle in American history—a cycle of spiritual awakenings and secular crises—from the founding colonists through the present day and well into this millennium.

Generations is at once a refreshing historical narrative and a thrilling intuitive leap that reorders not only our history books but also our expectations for the twenty-first century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780688119126
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/30/1992
Series:	Harper Perennial
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	544
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

William Strauss (February 5, 1947-December 18, 2007) was an American author, historian, playwright, theater director, and lecturer. As a historian, he is known for his work with Neil Howe on social generations and for the Strauss-Howe generational theory. He is also well known as the cofounder and director of the satirical musical theater group the Capitol Steps, and as the cofounder of the Cappies, a critics and awards program for high school theater students.

Neil Howe is a historian, economist, and demographer who writes and speaks frequently on generational change in American history and on long-term fiscal policy. He is cofounder of LifeCourse Associates, a marketing, HR, and strategic planning consultancy serving corporate, government, and nonprofit clients. He has coauthored six books with William Strauss, including Generations, 13th Gen, The Fourth Turning, and Millennials Rising. His other coauthored books include On Borrowed Time, Millennials Go to College, and Millennials in the Workplace. He is also a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he helps lead the CSIS Global Aging Initiative, and a senior advisor to the Concord Coalition. He holds graduate degrees in history and economics from Yale University. He lives in Great Falls, Virginia.

Editorial Reviews

Ex-Capitol Hill aides Strauss and Howe analyze American history according to a convoluted theory of generational cycles, concocting a chronicle that often seems as woolly as a newspaper horoscope. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly