Summer of '71: Five Months That Changed America

by John A. Jenkins

Inflation rages. Crime is rising. Abortion rights take center stage at the Supreme Court. China poses an existential threat. Black lives are under attack. The president battles the press as he seeks to subvert not just the political order but the rule of law itself. This is the Summer of '71—a pivotal season of hope and despair, missed opportunities and era-changing decisions.

More than a half-century later, it’s difficult to overstate the importance of events that defined the American experience during that fateful five-month period spanning May to September 1971. On May Day, President Nixon orchestrates a massive police-military response to disrupt the biggest anti-war demonstration in history. Two days later, the Supreme Court announces that it will take up Roe v. Wade. In the weeks and months that follow, friction escalates between the police and the Black Panthers, Congress debates universal healthcare, and the New York Times publishes the Pentagon Papers.

Summer of '71 brings it all to life through first-person accounts that are only now becoming the papers, diaries, and oral histories of key players. Award‑winning journalist and author John A. Jenkins witnessed many of the events himself, and draws on a multitude of sources, including Nixon's White House tapes, to tell the story of that time as no one else could.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Summer, Audiobook, Biography, Politics

448 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2026

About the author

John A. Jenkins is an American journalist, author, and entrepreneur. He is Founder & CEO of Law Street Media ] and President & Publisher Emeritus of CQ Press in Washington, D.C..

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the content is interesting, but poorly served by the writing and structure. This is one of those history books where the author has clearly done a lot of research, but is unable to distinguish which bits are actually important. And the quotations! Easily 30% of this book is just quotations. It was very distracting. I could never settle into the narrative of what was happening because it kept getting interrupted by 3,4, or 5 paragraph quotations.

The audiobook narration was adequate, however, my expectations for narrators has been elevated by The Genius Bat (narrated by Max Meyers) so I was disappointed by the complete lack of vocal characterizations for the extensive quotations. It would’ve been very nice if Kissinger had sounded even remotely like Kissinger.

Thank you very much to Kensington books and NetGalley for the physical and audio ARCs.

[BethFishReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for both those of us who remember that summer and those of you who are younger.

I remember all of the events that are covered in this history: Angela Davis, the D.C. May Day protests, Vietnam, the break-in at Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office, the burning of Watts, Attica, the Pentagon Papers, Watergate (which we'd discover later), and more. What I didn't fully remember was that all these things happened within a matter of months.

If you think the right's plan to discredit the left is a new thing, then you haven't really looked into Nixon or Reagan. If you think ratings and playing to your base are new, then you don't know much about Nixon's thoughts on Vietnam. If you think attacks on the press, a call for more policing, and the vilifying of Blacks and liberals are new, you need to learn your history.

Jenkins relied almost completely on firsthand accounts of key events that took place during that pivotal summer (really 5 months). He quotes amply from the historic record and pulls everything together with clear and accessible prose. I couldn't put the book down. I did a combo listen and read and finished the book in two days. I'm still quoting it to almost everyone I know.

Here are just a few things that the Republican White House did: escalated the war in Vietnam for political gain, contemplated ways to blackmail powerful Democrats for political gain, declared drugs illegal (instead of regulating them) for political gain and to further personal agendas, and rekindled the flames of the fear of communists. Oh and then there were the attacks on the free press, the increase in a police presence, and the shady manipulation of stacking the Supreme Court with conservatives.

Nixon and Reagan kicked the stones that started the avalanche that is now burying a liberal and free America. Among other things, this book is a reminder that people still have a voice and we can still make ourselves heard in the streets and in the voting booth.

The audiobook was performed by Jim Seybert who brilliantly met the challenges of narrating a book with an abundance of extracts. He subtly signaled the direct quotations while wisely keeping his delivery free from known accents (like Kissinger's) and vocal tics. He did, however, add enough inflection, emphasis, and spin to add a spark to the quoted dialogue. Excellent performance.

Thanks to Highbridge Audio and Citadel Press for the the review copies.

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Roe v. Wade to Watergate, the Vietnam War protests like Kent state, Black Panthers to the Pentagon papers, and debates about universal healthcare - this was a crazy time in US history.

At about 450 pages/13 hours, the book is able to get fairly in depth with each of these topics, but it's not meant to be a full dive into each of these matters - which, by themselves, have many full length books and documentaries.

I always look at a nonfiction authors background to see why I should trust their book.

The author began his journalism career in 1971 - what a time to be a journalist! At that time, he wrote stories that spawned SEC/Watergate special prosecutor investigations. He's received the ABA's highest award for legal journalism. Among other publications, his articles have been published in the New York Times.

Wow! This was an incredibly volatile, important, tragic, and influential time.

I definitely knew about all of these events as independent occurrences, but I never connected them in my head as having happened over the course of 5 months!

I recently got back from a trip to Asia and visited Vietnam. So, reading about the war and, specifically, the protests, hit a little differently. It was such an unpopular war at this (specific) time in history and the crimes mentioned (very slightly) are horrific. I did call them crimes - yeah, they're basically war crimes.

I'm trying to remember which book on My Lai I read in high school. I can't put my finger on the exact title, but it's 1000% worth your time to read a whole book about My Lai.

I liked the part about the Pentagon papers as well. I have the most familiarity with this topic and thought it was nicely covered.

For a deep dive, I recommend the audiobook version of Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers, also by Highbridge, read by Daniel Ellsberg himself.

The racial tension - past tension - killings, despicable time period as it was, really shows how much the US hadn't changed since the 60s. Even now, clearly, the US hasn't managed the needed change.

I don't think I realized that Congress was debating universal healthcare! They also discussed VAT! What?! Crazy. These discussions end up culminating in Medicare, but pssh - what would the US look like if healthcare wasn't tied to employment?!? It'd be an entirely different economy for jobs, entrepreneurship, and worker freedoms.

If you can't tell, I loved this book! It's chockful of relevant history and I think the presentation hits enough of a variety that people who don't normally read historywouldnt be bored.

I enjoyed the narration! It had a clear delivery and I ended up reading it at 1.25x, which is pretty standard for me. He kept me engaged while I was doing one manual labor. 🤓

If you want a summary of the events of this summer, want to learn more about this time in the Nixon presidency, or are interested in dipping your toe in modern American history, you may like this book.

Triggers: War, Death, Racism, Bigotry, Homophobia, Abortion, Sexism, Violence, Murder

Thanks to Highbridge for this audiobook! The opinions are my own.

[Robert Alexander Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐½ A Well-Researched but Uneven Look at a Pivotal American Summer

Summer of ’71: Five Months That Changed America by John A. Jenkins is a deeply researched and often interesting work of political history. I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and I was drawn to it because I enjoy history and wanted a change of pace from the fiction I had been reading recently. The subject matter immediately interested me because the book deals with a difficult and fascinating period in American history, especially the Nixon administration, the Vietnam War, the Pentagon Papers, and the political conflicts that shaped the early 1970s.

The strongest part of the book is the research. Jenkins clearly knows the period well as he was an investigative journalist during this period of history, and the book is filled with important details about Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Vietnam, China, the media, and the machinery of political power. I found the sections on Kissinger especially interesting, particularly his role in foreign policy and his secret travel to China. The material on the Pentagon Papers, the creation of The Plumbers, Nixon’s battles with the media, and the administration’s handling of the end of the Vietnam War was also compelling. Nixon remains such a fascinating figure because of the way he operated, the way he viewed power, and the way his administration responded to pressure from the press, the courts, political opponents, and public opinion.

At the same time, the book was not always an easy or consistently engaging read. Jenkins does so much background work that the book spends a significant amount of time in the 1960s before fully reaching the summer of 1971. That background makes sense, but it also slows the reading experience. Some sections were exciting, fast-paced, and genuinely enjoyable, while others felt dense and slow enough that I had to take breaks. That uneven pacing is the main reason this lands around 3.5 stars for me rather than a stronger 4.

One of the most effective parts of the book is how clearly the conflicts of 1971 echo into the present. The discussions of China, Russia, war, the economy, media battles, women’s reproductive rights, whistleblowers, crime, punishment, and government power all feel strikingly relevant. Jenkins does not simply present 1971 as a closed historical moment. He shows how many of the tensions from that period still shape American political life today. That modern relevance made the book more thought-provoking, even when the pacing dragged.

I would recommend Summer of ’71 to readers who are interested in American history, political nonfiction, and especially the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is not a light read, and some parts are much more engaging than others, but it is well researched and worthwhile for readers who already have an interest in this period. Summer of ’71 was a deeply researched and often fascinating look at a crucial period in American history, even if its uneven pacing made parts of the reading experience feel slower than the subject matter deserved.

Thank you to NetGalley, author John A. Jenkins, and Highbridge Audio for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#Summerof71 #NetGalley

[Holly Taggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very grateful to Highbridge Audio for the advanced listener copy of this history novel. I feel like we are starting to see more books focusing on this "Disco Era" and it's importance in history.


When I was a Civics study in Junior High this era was most certainly not discussed. Many of my male teachers were veterans and had some very strong opinions on Vietnam. It was a topic that rarely came up as opposed to WWII which seemed to be all over our school library, and one book which showed some very gruesome photos from WWII probably shaped my interest in history, and horror all in one. I do wonder if the school library was even aware of that particular book (WWII in pictures).

Fast forward many decades and it seems that readers are now interested in learning more about Vietnam, and not only Vietnam, but also many of the other fractious skudugger-ous laws and activities that our politicians were getting up to in 1971. And Whoooooo-eeeeeee This was not the age of snap chat, internet access and instagram. No one was really secretly video-ing a person in the parking lot- for any reason. (It would have been pretty hard to miss with the equipment required. ) BUT if it had been, there would have been so so much tea to be consumed.


Margolies, John, photographer. Coffee Pot Restaurant, Lexington, Virginia. Lexington Virginia United States, 1982. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017709465/.



I still like to think of this as very recent past, but looking around at all the folks in the workforce who were born in the 2000's this is objectively not the case and there will be many many readers who have no memory of the Disco age.

This book packs in so much history for these 5 months- if memes were a thing back in the Summer of ' 71 they would have been on par with the current ones about living in "unprecedented times" . This is one to put on your shelf (and in your ears) if you have wondered how we got to where we are at in the US currently.
Relying on many primary sources, it seems that Jenkins gives us a mostly neutral telling of the events and he does an excellent job connecting points that I might have missed- especially as a casual reader and learner.
The Narration is excellent and it felt as if I was listening to a NPR radio program, rather than an audio book! Jim Seybert is the narrator, and he's an Audie award winner for a reason!

Definitely one to pick up for those summer moments when we feel like we should be doing more than pool lounging, we could be learning!

[Patti Coil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book lands in a nebulous space where it isn’t rigorous enough to be an academic book, but too unreadable to be a general nonfiction book. I don’t think the author himself even understands what the book is lacking, because it feels like there is an assumption that the primary sources speak for themselves. They don’t. They live through the lens of the author, and he does not provide the necessary guidance for the reader.

Like, this book should have been my jam. I have some personal connections to the events here, but somehow I actually care less about them after reading this book. The journey of reading is an arduous one. Primary sources are quoted for pages and pages at a time, but the author does not guide the reader to *why* he wants you to read someone’s personal diary for three pages. Is it the tone? The content? So that we’d be impressed that your research assistant found a personal journal? I don’t know.

It is a VERY well-researched endeavor. The footnotes are extensive, and as noted above, the primary sources are quoted to unnecessary lengths. But then there are curious additions and omissions. Constance B. Motley is mentioned in the demands of the Attica prisoners, but the author does not identify who Constance Baker Motley is, or why the prisoners mentioned her. She’s worth a reference, right? He mentions that Dun Gifford’s wife’s nickname was “Pebble”, but no one refers to a Pebble in any correspondence where identifying her by nickname is necessary. And strangely enough, Hugh Thompson, Jr. is quoted during his intervention in My Lai, but not identified in the text or the printed footnote (thanks to Dad for making sure I would never forget his name). The odd choices just pile up and make this a more difficult read in an already difficult read.

To top it all off, the structure of the book is just odd. Its focus is squarely on the Pentagon Papers and Vietnam with some other stuff thrown in. The portions on Attica and Roe v. Wade could easily be removed without affecting the rest of the book or reducing the page counts. Ease of reading shouldn’t be a defining metric on whether a book or good or bad, but the author should at least consider that someone has to read the book for a book to actually be effective.

[Kailyn Steere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer of ‘71 walks the audience through a complex tapestry of social life and politics, of civil rights and war, beginning its tale in the 1960s in Vietnam. The first five chapters follow Daniel Ellsberg, Neil Sheehan, Henry Kissinger, and other political players especially close, focusing on the relationship between press and people, a common theme throughout Summer of ‘71. The sixth chapter transitions to the domestic front, picking up with the fascinating story of Angela Davis, the fight for and against “capital C” Communism, and what academic freedom really means in California. Then, two-thirds in, the titular summer of 1971 begins, delving deep into the Supreme Court with appointments of judges and Roe v. Wade; the tantalizing tale of the Pentagon Papers; and table tennis diplomacy, just to name a few of the events that happen during these five months.

Jenkins’ work gives deep insight into the Vietnam War and the Johnson and Nixon administrations, an excellent reminder of what goes on in the Presidency behind closed doors, only to be declassified and admitted to years later. It is also a reminder of the power of the press in the shaping of history: who tells the story that is remembered tells the story that is taught to us, no matter how that story may be wrought in a way that only confirms our biases. Jenkins seeks to undo this work, setting up important context and rightfully showing all sides to the story, allowing us, the audience, to come to our own conclusions only after being fully informed of the facts, with the added benefit of hindsight.

I would highly recommend (and indeed, already have) Summer of ‘71 to all lovers of history which still impacts us today: with the caveat that if you’re less interested in the Vietnam War than the history of the US home front, the beginning few chapters may be a slower start than you may wish. Summer of ‘71 holds endless character and easily supplements what many of us were taught in high school about the 1960s and 1970s, and serves as a jumping-off point for those wishing to learn more.

[Jazisunray Skillern · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Summer of ’71” by John A. Jenkins is a masterful, riveting account of one of the most tumultuous and consequential periods in American history. Jenkins takes readers on an immersive journey through the pivotal events of May to September 1971, weaving together first-person accounts, diaries, oral histories, and even Nixon’s White House tapes to paint a vivid picture of a nation at a crossroads.

The book excels at balancing the urgency of the moment—raging inflation, rising crime, the battle over abortion rights, race relations, and the looming threat from China—with deeply human stories of hope, despair, and determination. Jenkins’s journalistic rigor and firsthand perspective lend authenticity and insight, making complex events accessible and compelling.

What truly sets “Summer of ’71” apart is its ability to connect the past with the present. Jenkins doesn’t just recount history; he provides a critical lens for understanding today’s political divisions and societal challenges. The result is both a fascinating narrative and an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to understand the roots of modern America.

Brilliantly researched and powerfully written, “Summer of ’71” is essential reading for history buffs, political junkies, and anyone interested in the forces that have shaped—and continue to shape—our nation.

Thank you, John A. Jenkins, NetGalley, and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

[Bargain Counter Argument · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a frustrating book that doesn't entirely deliver on the title's promise. Well researched and well written, it would've been much better if Jenkins's own newspaperman's perspective hadn't kept getting in the way. There's more about the internal politics at the New York Times than there is about Nixon's decision to go off the gold standard. There's an extended digression into the logistics of publishing the Pentagon Papers that takes nearly as much of the book as Attica, which has the effect of flattening everything into equal significance.

If Jenkins had to get into inside baseball on newsrooms, it might've been more interesting (if not more relevant) if he'd shared his own insights as someone who was a reporter at the time, but instead we get a recitation of the photocopy businesses in southern New England (as part of the great Pentagon Papers heist) which didn't need to take up nearly as much of this book as it did.

It's not a bad book, it just didn't deliver as much as I'd hoped about the summer of '71. There's copious, and not always unnecessary, background for the events that took place during "the five months that changed America," but when those months finally arrive, it's anticlimactic. I did learn a lot from this book, at least, but it could've used more rigorous editing.

[Amie Nixdorf · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me to give this only three stars. I should’ve loved this book. I’ve read many books by investigative journalists and usually I do love them, but here something about the way the information is conveyed lacks luster. I knew many of the events taking place in the summer of ‘71. What I wanted the author to do, and what he didn’t really do well, was tie it all up with good connections.

I felt like he discussed something and then went into long verbatim dialogue quoted from the primary source. I was disappointed by how bleh the book felt.

And especially the fact that he never clearly connected the summer of ‘71 with today. Oh for sure some of the same arguments are still going on, but I wanted to know why and how we are stuck arguing about the same (culture war) things instead of uniting against billionaires. Different war, same arguments.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but this book really piqued my interest because, as I have aged, I've found myself thinking and saying, "This isn't anything new. This has all happened before." It is sad that history repeats itself, but...it just does.
I was looking to gain insight into what history I did know, or thought I knew (which happens to us all, right) and this book delivered that in extremely readable and understandable way. As your everyday American, I truly appreciate that.
I'm not here to say anything more than I found this interesting, engaging and enlightening. I also commend the amount of work done to put it together; very admirable.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this before publication.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an advance copy of Summer of '71.

I found this book fascinating. It explores pivotal events and figures from 1971, including the Vietnam War, the Nixon presidency, Henry Kissinger's role, the Black Power movement, the Attica prison uprising, and the Pentagon Papers.

The writing style was engaging, well researched, and easy to follow. While the narrative does jump between events and perspectives at times, I think readers with some background knowledge of this period will better appreciate the connections between the key players and historical events.

Overall, I would recommend this book to history buffs or anyone interested in the Pentagon Papers and the political and social upheavals of the early 1970s.

[Chy]

While this was thoroughly researched and I did find the parallels of what was going on in the summer of '71 and what's happening now to be eerily spooky and similar I just thought the writing was a little dry for my tastes. So much of the focus is on Nixon, Kissinger, Reagan - all old, white men even at that time that I simply do not give an eff about and cannot stomach reading about anymore. And yes, I know they were major players during that time frame and there's no way you can discuss the summer of '71 without diving into their devilish deeds, but ultimately this one was just too slow for me so it's a DNF.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am younger than when this happened. I was not much of a history buff while in school, some how I managed to not know about most of this when learning about history. You have times before Watergate and so many other things, this just kind of gets glossed over. I read some of the other reviews... I wouldn't say this was disjointed, but it also isn't super smooth, but that's what happens when you are telling a story from so many different perspectives. I liked it. You get so much information and it is easy fall into this story and want more. Those who don't learn, repeat these mistakes...

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Summer of '71" is a well researched and detailed account of the political developments in the US that are still relevant today. I knew about Watergate but not much about the events leading up to it or the people involved. The author delivers the dramatic events in a way that had me at the edge of my seat despite them happening 55 years in the past. The parallels to current events and developments are obvious and alarming, even for readers from across the pond. Highly recommend.

[wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenkins sees this Summer as pivotal time period in American History. He looks in depth at people and events that argue his thesis. He goes into great detail on Angela Davis (arrest and trial), Daniel Ellsburg (Pentagon Papers), Henry Kissinger (role is Viet Nam negotiations) and the protest movement against the War. This was particularly interesting to me as I lived during that time. The book is well written with the right amount of detail.

[Ashley Chabot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good if you’re looking for a history of what happened that summer. Pulls from several different sources to put the whole picture together of what was going on. It’s crazy how similar it is to what’s happening now. Highly recommend if you like leaving about history. It is a bit dry in places due to content but is told in a chronological order. Again highly recommend!

[Ashley Tovar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important, raw, well researched historical read. It was a bit dry but the audio version was able to keep my attention & I appreciate the thought provoking detail. This is an extremely interesting part of history that I didn’t know enough about. Very glad I picked it up.

Big thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for allowing me to enjoy this.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting bit of history that happened in 1971!
Lot of research went into writing this book.

[Nena Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for the audiobook

I truly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The narrator kept me engaged and did a great job narrating this book. I highly recommend

[Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow loved reading this and learning the history of what happened that summer! Definitely recommend if you want to be informed!