9781439101636

1439101639

9781439109915

"A bold and original argument that upends the myth of the Fifties as a decade of conformity to celebrate the solitary, brave, and stubborn individuals who pioneered the radical gay rights, feminist, civil rights, and environmental movements, from historian James R. Gaines"-- Provided by publisher.

"The Fifties is a dazzling and provocative work of history that transforms our understanding of a seemingly staid decade and honors the pioneers of gay rights, feminism, civil rights, and environmentalism. The book carries the powerful message that change actually begins not in mass movements and new legislation but in the lives of de-centered, often lonely individuals, who learn to fight for change in a daily struggle with themselves." -- inside front jacket flap.

Introduction: Seeing in the dark

Gay rights: "To be nobody but yourself"

Feminism: Meet Jane Crow

Civil rights: The war after the wars

Ecology: Before we knew

Epilogue: The best of us.

Gay rights > History.

Gay liberation movement > History.

Feminism > History.

History > 20th century.

Social movements > United States > History > 20th century.

Counterculture > United States > History > 20th century.

Progressivism (United States politics) > History > 20th century.

Gay rights > United States > History > 20th century.

Gay liberation movement > United States > History > 20th century.

Feminism > United States > History > 20th century.

Civil rights > United States > History > 20th century.

Environmentalism > United States > History > 20th century.

United States > History > 20th century.

United States > Social conditions > 20th century.