Generations

William Strauss and Neil Howe recount American history as a series of generational biographies, starting in 1584 and running through the children of today. Their theory assigns every generation to one of four types, which recur in a fixed order. From that pattern they trace a repeating cycle of spiritual awakenings and secular crises that runs from the first colonists well into the 21st century. The 1991 book laid the groundwork for their generational theory, which they later expanded, with updated terminology, in The Fourth Turning. Former Vice President Al Gore said no book on American history had stimulated him more, and he sent copies to every member of Congress.

Tony Robbins said President Clinton gave him a copy when they worked together some 20 years earlier, and described it as showing how the way each generation is raised shapes how it raises the next, creating patterns that affect history.