Evaluation of Sources Essay

Published in 2010, Dick Weissman’s book Talkin’ ‘bout a Revolution: Music and Social Change in America focuses on music in America that dates back to the early 1900’s, but incorporating key facts about the music of the 1960s. Weissman goes in depth about the different musicians that had an impact during the 1960s, and also talks about how the history of America and music were interrelated. Weissman states specifically how and why historical events such as the Civil Rights Movement, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the rock and roll/hippie movement were all related to the changing music of the time. He paints a vivid picture with words that allow the reader to understand the underlying themes of the music, as well as showing the view of the people of the time. The only limitation of this source is that Weissman does not include actual accounts of people; he provides his own assumption of the change in musical trends of the time. David Shapiro, a rock journalist and drug counselor, wrote a book about the relation of drugs and music, Waiting For the Man: The Story of Drugs and Popular Music, which was published in 1988, and contained an overview of specific drugs and the bands that used them. David Shapiro was alive during the 1960s which allows him to portray his view and to show the mentality of the bands and people of the time. Shapiro’s writing with the use of public opinion includes a first-hand account of people and events during the 1960s. Even though the book lacks to incorporate the details of history were taking place, there is detailed description of the types of music that were evolving due to their association with narcotics.