This work investigates whether the 1970s functioned as a definitive turning point in American political, social, and economic life. Bruce J. Schulman, a historian specializing in 20th-century American politics, synthesizes a wide array of primary source documents and scholarly essays to examine the decade's transition from the post-war consensus to the modern era. He argues that the period was not merely a time of stagnation, but a crucible where contemporary American identities and policy frameworks were forged.

Historians frequently cite this collection as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of the late 20th century. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous framework for analyzing the decade's multifaceted challenges.