I picked up this book because I have always wanted to know more about the 1970s, the decade that ended just before I was born, but that I was sure affected my life greatly. It is a period in time that I did not know much about, but thought I should.

Frum's main arguments revolve around the notion that the 1970s did much damage to the sociopolitical and economic content of America. it was a time in which the conventions and norms of the previous fifty years were disassembled and stepped on. While certainly not the best thing for the country, it may have been inevitable and, in some cases, necessary.

Contrary to popular opinion, it was the 1970s that really stirred things up, not the 1960s. The 1960s, it turns out, were much too optimistic about the future, and the 1970s was a decade epitomized by cynicism. It was a time of crushed hopes, shattered dreams, and bad politics. And that's not all - it was a time of overt sexuality, climbing divorce rates, disintegrating labor unions, and rapid inflation. Not the best moral climate to be sure.

Were the 1970s really that different than any other decade? No and yes. On one hand, events, people, and circumstances during this time were not all brand new. Things were not so drastically different than in the past. On the other hand, things had a more glaring quality than in the past. Nefarious happenings were done more often, it seems, with less sense of moral regard. People in the 1970s seemed to be more blatant in their individuality and less concerned with the consequences of that heightened individualistic perspective on the social fabric of society.

Written by a journalist rather than an academic, this book is a fast read, easy to follow, and thoroughly interesting. It is a great introduction to the major events, people, and emotions of the decade. While not unbiased, the author's arguments nevertheless hold water, and it is an interesting perspective on recent history.