In 1964 six events occurred in America which continue to have influence in society today: the murders of three young civil rights activists in Mississippi; the animated young prizefighter who angered some Americans and amused most; four musicians from Liverpool, England who rocked the music world; two encounters in the Gulf of Tonkin; the investigative report that was subjected to widespread doubt; and the unsuccessful campaign for the presidency in 1964 by a U.S. Senator that became a crusade. Joseph Mangano has written a historical account of each of these six incidents, accompanied by an analysis of the enduring significance of each twenty-five years later. Widely varying areas, such as military policy, race relations, popular music, sports, electoral politics, and truth in government, were gravely affected by these incidents. Mangano carefully weaves a theme between the six incidents to explain their continued relevance in American society.
