The Woodstock Census

by Rex Weiner, Deanne Stillman

Hardcover first edition in illustrated dustjackdet which shows tad of edge wear from shelving, like new inside, comes with original press release about book from publisher.

Genres: Nonfiction

273 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 1979

Reviews

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woodstock Census: The Nationwide Survey of the Sixties Generation by Rex Weiner and Deanne Stillman (Viking Press 1979) (301.43) (3436). I read this book shortly after I graduated from college in 1980. I then never thought about it again until I ran across a ratty-looking copy in December 2019 at my local used bookseller's. I quickly remembered this little report as a gem-in-the-rough.

In 1978, the authors disseminated a twenty-eight page survey open to all of the young adults – the Woodstock Nation – who wished to register their thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints on the Sixties as well as on the changes the Sixties had wrought upon them personally and as a society. After receiving a little over a thousand completed surveys, this book was compiled. It thoroughly sketches out attitudes and preferences of the 1960's era hippies from a remove of ten years.

The heart and soul of the book are the answers given in response to the survey. For instance, when Woodstock (the Festival) attendees were asked for their thoughts on the spectacle, many of the respondents referred to Woodstock as one of their best experiences of the era: “My best 60's experience was being at Woodstock. I felt very much a part of a large group. I felt I had an identity and that I belonged.”

Not everyone surveyed, however, counted Woodstock as a positive and life-changing experience. A respondent from Wisconsin said, “I went to Woodstock. I didn't get laid, I didn't get high. I got wet and grouchy.” (Woodstock Census, p. 218).

Possibly the most important question posed was this: When will the Sixties be over? My favorite response was from a twenty-five-old student from New York. He said, “As long as there's a Grateful Dead, the 60's will never be over.” (Woodstock Census, p. 229).

Old hippies who wish to recapture the magic of their youth will love this.

My rating: 7.5/10, finished 4/6/20 (3436). I purchased a HB copy in average condition from McKay's for $3.00 on 12/12/19. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH