THE TURN - Dennis Joiner
75 Years That Redefined America
The Turn by Dennis Joiner is a comprehensive examination of the past 75 years of American history, exploring the social movements, cultural shifts, and political transformations that shaped modern America. From civil rights and gender equality to globalization and the digital revolution, it reveals how these forces reshaped the nation’s values and identity. At its core, the book uncovers how these events transformed the American weltanschauung, the collective worldview that defines how Americans see themselves and their place in the world. Blending history, sociology, and sharp analysis, The Turn connects pivotal past moments to the complexities of today’s society. Engaging and thought-provoking, it invites readers to reflect on how history’s turning points continue to influence America’s future.
A Defining Era in American History
From the economic boom of postwar prosperity and the optimism of mid-century America to the cultural upheavals, social reckonings, and political divisions that define our present day, The Turn traces the defining moments, movements, and transformations that shaped not only the structures of contemporary American society but also the very consciousness of its people.
75 Years Covered
From 1950 to 2024, exploring seven and a half decades of American transformation.
Social Movements
From 1950 to 2024, exploring seven and a half decades of American transformation.
Political Analysis
From 1950 to 2024, exploring seven and a half decades of American transformation.
What “The Turn” Explores
Historical Periods
• Postwar Economic Booms
• The Reagan Revolution
• Gulf Wars & War on Terror
• Financial Crises & Recovery
• Global Pandemic Impact
Cultural Analysis
• Counterculture & Protest Movements
• Media & Entertainment Evolution
• Religious & Ideological Shifts
• Globalism vs. Nationalism
• Modern Political Polarization
About Dennis Joiner
Historian, Author, and Cultural Analyst
Dennis Joiner brings decades of research and analysis to his examination of modern American history. His unique perspective combines academic rigor with accessible storytelling, making complex social and political transformations understandable to general readers.
With extensive experience in historical research and cultural analysis, Joiner has spent years studying the intricate connections between major events and their lasting impact on American society. His work focuses particularly on the often-overlooked human costs of political and social upheaval.
“The Turn” represents Joiner’s effort to help readers understand how we arrived at our current moment in American history, examining both the triumphs and tragedies that have shaped our national consciousness over the past 75 years.
Inside "The Turn"
Explore the comprehensive chapters that chronicle America’s transformation
Table of Contents
1. The Postwar Foundation (1950-1960)
Economic prosperity, suburban expansion, and the emergence of consumer culture set the stage for decades of change.
Pages 15-45
3. Crisis and Disillusion (1970-1980)
Watergate, economic stagflation, and the Iran hostage crisis shook American confidence.
Pages 79-112
5. Technology and Globalization (1990-2000)
The internet revolution, economic boom, and increasing global interconnectedness.
Pages 146-180
7. Financial Crisis and Recovery (2008-2016)
Economic collapse, bailouts, and the social movements that emerged from widespread discontent.
Pages 216-250
2. Civil Rights and Social Upheaval (1960-1970)
The civil rights movement, Vietnam War protests, and counterculture challenged traditional American values.
Pages 46-78
4. The Reagan Revolution (1980-1990)
Conservative resurgence, economic reforms, and the Cold War’s conclusion reshaped confidence.
Pages 113-145
6. 9/11 and the War on Terror (2000-2010)
Terrorism, security culture, and military interventions that redefined American foreign policy.
Pages 181-215
8. Polarization and Pandemic (2016-2024)
Political divisiveness, social media’s impact, and COVID-19’s transformative effects on society.
Pages 251-285
Sample from "The Turn"
An excerpt from Chapter 1: The Postwar Foundation
“The year 1950 marked not just the midpoint of the twentieth century, but the beginning of what would become the most transformative period in American history…”
The families moving into Levittown that summer had no way of knowing they were participating in a social experiment that would reshape the American landscape for generations to come. These young veterans, armed with GI Bill benefits and VA loans, were creating more than suburban neighborhoods; they were establishing the foundation for a new kind of American dream, one built on mass consumption, nuclear families, and the promise that prosperity would continue indefinitely.
But beneath the surface of this apparent consensus lay the seeds of the discontent that would later define “The Turn.” The very success of postwar America, its economic boom, technological advancements, and global dominance, created expectations and contradictions that would prove impossible to sustain. The children born in these suburban developments would grow up to question everything their parents had built.
This tension between promise and reality, between the ideal of American exceptionalism and the lived experience of American citizens, forms the central narrative of the next seventy-five years. It is the story of a nation constantly turning, sometimes toward progress, toward reaction, but always in motion, always searching for an identity that seemed perpetually just out of reach…
This excerpt represents approximately 0.5% of the complete book content
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