Movie Review Restless Giant By James T. Patterson

Kiana Wade Book Review 6 Nov 2105 Restless Giant, a book written by James T. Patterson, provides us with a concise and historically correct assessment of the time period of the twenty-seven years between the resignation of Richard Nixon and the election of George W. Bush. Patterson makes it a point to provide for us the relational ties between the social, economical, cultural, political aspects of life in America. Patterson begins his narrative by placing us in the â€Å"troubled 70s.† He describes the 1970s as â€Å"grim, tasteless years that are best put out of mind.† (p. 13) The mood of the 1970s was described as gloomy, gaudy and depressing. The issue of race remained the nation’s number one problem. During this time there were only two†¦show more content†¦18) Along with the many racial problems of this time period, there were educational issues, drug abuse problems and rising crime rate. Patterson also talks about the â€Å"moral decline† and the younger generation. He note s that, â€Å"a number of public school seemed out of control,† (p. 45) doing things such as swearing in the classrooms and on the streets, spray painting buildings and using drugs and alcohol. Then there was the topic of sex. â€Å"It seemed to be advancing in the culture almost as rapidly as violence,† says Patterson. Their was a decline in sexual morality. The sexual themes on TV seemed to be advancing. Patterson gives us some examples: Mary Tyler Moore Show and Charlie’s Angels. â€Å"Television shows likes these reflected a sexualizing of the culture.† (p.46) Patterson later talks about the rapid rise in divorce rates and the increase of number of births happening outside of marriage. During this time agitation for women’s rights were at an all time high. Many women began to work and speak out against sexual discrimination. â€Å"All these controversies over sex and family life would have been cause enough for concern even in sunny economic times.† (p. 58) Patterson goes on to discuss the economic problems of this period. The stagflation persisted into the 1980s. This was a result of the structural changes in the economy. It went from a manufacturing base to a post-industrial society that depended on services. Greater