It was a good overview of a truly vicious year and it covered more than just the US. Kurlansky offered an overall view of what was happening in other parts of the world too - the then-Soviet Union, South America and Europe as well. Instead of going over the year in a linear fashion he covered various aspects in the chapters - devoted to a particular part of the world, or politics, or whatever. Quite informative and many times you will say (assuming you're old enough ;) "Hey, I remember that!"