Four of the Most Influential Books of the Sixties

1960s Books
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1960s books perfectly reflect the decade itself. It was a time of turbulence and change. It was a time of questioning long-held norms and challenging the status quo. These books pushed boundaries and shook up the literary world.

Slaughterhouse-Five

Published in 1969, Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” is a work that is hard to describe. It isn’t very often that a writer can combine sci-fi, philosophy, and autobiography to create a bestseller. It is exactly this outside-the-box thinking that made Vonnegut so influential. That didn’t stop the book from being banned more than once though.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou was a unique and important voice. This powerful work deals with issues of racism and trauma through both the personal and cultural lens. It is also an autobiographical coming-of-age story that has connected with so many Americans in a deeply meaningful way.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Before the classic film adaptation, came the 1960 Harper Lee novel. This book played a significant role in further opening the national discussion of race and America’s criminal justice system. There are few works of the time that can be named as more influential than “To Kill a Mocking Bird.”

Valley of the Dolls

This novel, the first by Jacqueline Susann, deals with addiction and the grim, destructive nature of show business hidden behind the glitz and glamour. Impressively, it became the best-selling book in 1966, the year of its release, and one of the best-selling novels of all time.

Check out more classic ’60s books here. While you’re at it, check out our blog for more from the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s. Want the latest updates? be sure to follow The Greatest Generation on Facebook and Twitter.

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