Author(s): William Strauss, Neil Howe

History

Hailed by national leaders from Al Gore to Newt Gingrich, Generations has been hailed as a brilliant, if somewhat unsettling, reassessment of where America is heading. William Strauss and Neil Howe's bold theory is based on the premise that each generation belongs to one of four types, and that these types repeat sequentially in a fixed pattern. Following this method, we can chart a recurring cycle in American history that includes spiritual awakenings and secular crises. According to the authors, this cycle began in 1584 with the founding colonists and will last well into the 21st century. Generations is at once a historical narrative and a thrilling leap into the future; readers will find themselves looking at America in a whole new light.

William Strauss (1947-2007) graduated from Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and the Kennedy School of Government. Strauss was a founding partner of the consulting firm LifeCourse Associates, and coauthored several books with Neil Howe: Generations, 13th Gen, The Fourth Turning and Millennials Rising. He also served on the staff of the U.S. Senate and President Ford's White House. He was co-founder and director of professional satirical troupe the Capitol Steps.

Neil Howe holds graduate degrees in history and economics from Yale University. He is cofounder of the consulting firm LifeCourse Associates. He has coauthored six books with William Strauss, including Generations, 13th Gen, The Fourth Turning and Millennials Rising. He is a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a senior advisor to the Concord Coalition. He lives in Great Falls, Virginia, with his wife and two children.