'Atlantic' journalist Brownstein to discuss cultural upheaval of 1974 at book talk, May 20

The stars aligned in Los Angeles in 1974 as a diverse group of talents across film, music, and television hit a creative zenith, jolting American popular culture and in turn, American politics. 

Atlantic senior editor Ron Brownstein, who analyzes that pivotal year in his new book, “Rock Me on the Water: 1974-The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics,” will discuss what we can discern about our political future from the current generational cultural divide on Thursday, May 20, at a National Press Club Headliners Virtual Book Event.  

This one-hour program will stream live at 2 p.m. on the Club’s website and YouTube Channel, and is accessible to both the press and general public free-of-charge. Access the event or download a calendar reminder here.

Viewers can submit their questions for Brownstein in advance or during the live program via email to [email protected], with “1974” in the subject line. 

 

 

The New York Times called the book, a New York Times best-seller, "engrossing." The Los Angeles Review of Books called it a "brilliant cultural history" that "drops enough names to fill the once-massive Los Angeles phone book (remember those?), elicits memorable moments from several entertainment industries, and recalls political machinations across decades.”