Review of Rusty Monhollon's This Is America

The Sixties in Lawrence, Kansas

Sep 29, 2009

This Is America shows the effects of the 1960s outside of the big cities and also provides an understanding of the period through the experiences and memories of many.

This Is America?: The Sixties in Lawrence, Kansas (New York: Palgrave, 2004) is written by Dr. Rusty Monhollon, an assistant professor of history at Hood College. This historical narrative not only seeks to show the effects of the sixties outside of the big cities, but also provides an understanding of the sixties from not just one solo personal experience, but through the experiences and memories of many. By focusing on one small town and community the narrative is able to narrow and focus its scope and to show the interconnectivity between the issues of the sixties which affected Lawrence, Kansas.

Unlike other books concerning the sixties such as Maurice Isserman and Michael Kazin’s America Divided: The Civil War of the 1960s, Monhollon’s This Is America? provides a much lengthier and stronger background for his narrative. While the historical background of Lawrence, Kansas provided in Chapter 1 “The Homestead of the Free” may strike some readers as longwinded and statistic-heavy, it does provide necessary information for understanding the struggles of the sixties presented later in the book. Perhaps the other books concerning the sixties provide less information on history prior to the 1960s because they are more general surveys and overviews and do not focus specifically on one community as This Is America? does. While it was difficult to appreciate the initial chapter on first reading after completing the book it is evident why such an explanation of Lawrence’s past is necessary.

Beginning with the introduction on page 1, This Is America? shows a heavy reliance on newspaper articles from the 1960s. While these are important historical documents worthy of inclusion, solely focusing on what was printed by the papers only provides a small piece and limited perspective of what was occurring during the time. There are also many references to public and private letters written to or by the people of Lawrence which provides much stronger evidence than plain quotations gleaned from newspaper articles. Chapter 1 includes only one reference to a personal interview with the next interview source not appearing until the beginning of Chapter 5. The rest of the evidence comes from newspapers, studies, surveys, and other paper-based sources.

Monhollon’s book covers many issues which effected Lawrence but does not always do so in chronological order. At first this was somewhat confusing because an issue from 1963 would be brought up, then Dowdell’s shooting in 1970 would be mentioned in conjunction with the issue and then the narrative would return to a discussion of the issue in 1963. This happens on numerous occasions in This Is America? where an issue is brought up, newspaper articles from the mid-sixties are cited and the chronology goes back and forth in fleshing out the complexities of a specific topic. While readers may be used to reading history chronologically, after a few chapters into This Is America? the lack of strict chronology is less bothersome.

By focusing on the issues and specific events rather than simply the order of the events Monhollon is able to paint a clearer picture of the issues and their implications on Lawrence, Kansas.

In any account of the sixties attention must be paid to the newly defined, or in instances such as civil rights, redefined movements such as feminism, environmentalism, peace activism, the New Left, and conservatism. This Is America?: The Sixties in Lawrence, Kansas appears to be an unbiased account of the sixties in Lawrence, Kansas. Attention is paid not only to left-leaning movements but also to their opposition from the conservative right-wing.

This historical narrative also includes letters and articles concerning the views of citizens who were not actively involved on either side. While the book takes for granted racism, sexism and discrimination as being wrong, as many readers today would agree, it also provides arguments from the other side such as Ed Abels and other columnists from papers like "The Lawrence Outlook" and "The Lawrence Daily Journal-World."

In his historical exploration This Is America?: The Sixties in Lawrence, Kansas Dr. Rusty Monhollon provides a narrative of the events and movements which effected Lawrence, Kansas firmly seated in the politics and ideas which effected the nation as a whole during the sixties.

This Is America?: The Sixties in Lawrence, Kansas is recommended for the following readers:

Non-fiction readers who do not typically take an interest in history may also enjoy this book as it combines history and narrative along with an intense sense of community giving the historical narrative plenty of context and lots of room for reflection.

The copyright of the article Review of Rusty Monhollon's This Is America in History Books is owned by Tracey Carter. Permission to republish Review of Rusty Monhollon's This Is America in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.