senior Scoops

An amazing year for literature

My life with books took off in earnest in the incredible year of 1969. That summer I turned 15. I was between my freshman and sophomore years of high school—a situation I had yet to figure out. I was struggling with algebra, biology, and fitting in. Difficulties in school aside, it was the year I became a serious reader — it was a way to escape my world. What a gift!

It was a mixed bag for the country as well.

Earlier that year, Nixon was sworn in for his first term. Half a million American soldiers were fighting an unwinnable war in Vietnam, while others took to the streets in protest. The evil of Charles Manson was brought to the fore and the term “Chappaquiddick” entered our collective consciousness — a mystery that has never been fully unraveled.

There were great triumphs in ’69 as well. Three astronauts aboard Apollo 11 traveled to the moon; 650 million people around the world watched as Neil Armstrong took his historic step onto the lunar surface.

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

Neil Armstrong

Sports fans witnessed one of the greatest rags-to-riches stories in baseball history as “The Miracle Mets” shocked us all by winning the World Series.

In August, hundreds of thousands converged on a small farm in upstate New York to attend the greatest rock concert of all time. Joplin, CSN&Y, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, and of course, Hendrix were just a few of the headliners. I thought about going to Woodstock, but mommy said no — hey, I was only 15.

Midnight Cowboy and Hello Dolly were in the theatres. Sugar-Sugar and Aquarius topped the pop charts.

The Books

‘69 was an amazing year for literature. Among the great books were; Portnoy’s Complaint by Phillip Roth, The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton, The Poetry of Robert Frost by Robert Frost, Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brien, On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, and Rich Man, Poor Man by Irwin Shaw. These were but a few. Here is a more comprehensive list from Goodreads.

As impressive as that list is, there are three that spoke to me and stood out above the rest. The only criteria for ranking these books are my opinion.

#3 The Godfather— by Mario Puzo

Published by Putnam and Sons

I will make him an offer he can’t refuse

Don Corleone

The Godfather was the #1 bestseller of 1969, it has sold over 40 million copies throughout its publication. It spawned 3 movies two of which won the Acadamy Award for Best Picture.

It was our first look at the Corleone crime family. An American story at its core with roots in the old country.

The Godfather drew back the curtain that hid the dark underworld of organized crime. It also exposed the lengths men will go to reach a pinnacle of power. A world where family meant everything and betrayal meant death.

Every house had a copy of The Godfather in 1969

I had a tough time deciding between #2 and #3, at one point I considered flipping a coin, but the next book is so strong I gave it the nod.

#2  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings— by Maya Angelou

Published by Random House

I read this book later in life, maybe in my 40’s.

Maya Angelou’s classic memoir of her early life is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The victim of a brutal sexual assault at the age of 8. She was also subjected to the prejudiced attitudes of the Jim Crow era in America. Because of the trauma she endured, she did not speak until age 13. Part of her healing was rooted in her exposure to literature, at first William Shakespeare then a broad range of authors who gave her hope in the world around her. She went on to write several books always empowering the downtrodden, especially women.

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

Maya Angelou

#1 Slaughter House V–By Kurt Vonnegut

Published by Delacorte

Move over Holden Caufield there is a new hero in town. His name is Billy Pilgrim. This is one of the very few books I have read more than once.

Drawn on Vonnegut’s own experiences in World War II, this book is the quintessential anti-war book. Loosely based on his time as a prisoner of war, Vonnegut uses satire to point out the absurdities of war and mans inherent cruelty. Part science-fiction, part satire, Billy Pilgrim time travels back and forth to random spots in his life, he even makes a stop on the planet Tralfamadore. Somehow Vonnegut puts it all together. It had me laughing out loud one minute and shaking my head in disgust the next.

I could never do Slaughterhouse 5 justice in this short space, it has to be read. Just like 1969, you will never fully understand it unless you lived it. I am glad I did.

What do you think?

What were your favorite books of 1969, what do you remember about that epic year?

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