Author: Neil Howe & William Strauss
Summary: Howe and Strauss identify 4 basic generational cohort "types" that seem to occur in cyclical patterns. The 4 types are idealist, reactive, civic and adaptive. The authors trace the cohorts through American history from the founding colonists through the near future. On one level the authors seem uncannily prescient (since this book was originally published over 15 years ago). However, they deal more in generalities than specifics, so their predictions are more relevant to society as a whole, not individuals. On that macro level, this book can really help those of one cohort type to understand the experiences and life perceptions of the other cohort types. If you can't figure out your parents, or grandchildren, this might be the book for you - or
maybe one of the more recent titles by the same authors.
Recommendation: Yes, but not for the faint-of-heart. This book is conceptually challenging and pretty long. I'd rate it 4 hearts if it were more readable.
Hearts: 3
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