Abstract

It is now fifty years since the infamous events of 1968, where much of Europe, North America and the wider world was engulfed in riots, protests and student-led political activism. This brief article considers some of the key pieces of writing in the English language focusing on two countries that experienced the 1968 moment: Britain and the United States of America. It charts how autobiography and initial contemporary reaction pieces gave way to national histories focusing on the particular stories of each country's experience of this turbulent period. The article then charts how these national stories have evolved into transnational histories. It then suggests two ways in which authors and historians could augment and improve our understanding and study of 1968. Firstly, a focus on sweeping national and transnational narratives has clouded our understanding of the regional and local dynamics of 1968. Studies of Britain and the USA need to do more to drill down to, for example, provincial parts of the countries they seek to understand. Secondly, although not a methodological concern, it is important to hear the opinions and voices from the conservative right in order to broaden the range of opinions that are aired about this crucial turning point in twentieth century history.