Jill D'Alessandro

I guess I’m over the 60s, even though compared to now there is much on which to look back fondly.

It might be because I “wasn’t ready” for 1967 until 1969 or so, but the nostalgia of the era just doesn’t move me as much as I’d expected.

I’d gone to the museum exhibit and was surprised to feel so underwhelmed.

I decided to read the catalog and then return to the exhibit, perhaps appreciating it more after reading the book. (I actually didn’t read the entire book but I looked carefully at every page and skimmed the essays I didn’t carefully read.)

Okay, as early as 1967 I loved the posters and buttons, and there are a lot of good quotes and photos in here, from people of interest, including those in whom I have or had interest.

I continue to enjoy much of the music.

I still like some of the art, fashion, posters, buttons, although not anywhere as much as I did then.

I’m glad some of the negatives are included. In both the exhibit and the book photos of the missing persons (kids who ran away to San Francisco who had disappeared from their family’s lives and were being sought) are shown. They look so young.

So, other than the known celebrities I did search photos for people I might have known, but I would have needed a strong magnifier for most.

I was living in San Francisco at the time but spent much of that summer in Los Angeles. I do remember circa 1967 going across the Golden Gate Bridge to buy posters and buttons in Sausalito, remember listening to the music, remembering embracing some of the philosophy, etc. but I didn’t hang out in the Haight nor was I fully aware of “the movement” until 1968 or 1969. I was slow, and young.

I’m just not that wowed by the material any more. It’s a good look into history but even there something was lacking for me, and so many pages didn’t interest me at all. 2 ½ stars rounded up because of the attempt it makes and because it is an interesting subject. I’m curious about how other readers feel and think about this book’s contents and presentation.… (plus d'informations)