Reunion: A Memoir [Paperback]

Tom Hayden (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this long, self-conscious, apologetic autobiography, Hayden, once a left-wing hero, now a California state legislator, is so busy explaining or qualifying his former radicalism that the effect is stultifying. As he tells it, he achieved a lucky balance in his metamorphosis from self-centered, messianic student organizer to liberal Democrat now "married to a real Hollywood star Jane Fonda: a beautiful, intelligent, infinitely creative human." His windy recitation touches the high points of a well-publicized careerleadership of Students for a Democratic Society, community organizing in Newark, Vietnam War protests, the Columbia University student riots, the Chicago Eight conspiracy trial in 1969, his trip with Fonda to Hanoi. While Hayden notes that he was overly romantic about the Vietnamese revolution, he charges that the U.S. government bears responsibility for continuing to besiege and bleed Vietnam. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

In a journey spanning more than 25 years, Hayden has gone from co-founding Students for a Democratic Society, to marriage to actress Jane Fonda, to serving in the California legislature. This political autobiography covers that tumultuous odyssey, concentrating on the 1960s. Perhaps more than any other individual, Hayden, an idealistic and pragmatic reformer, represented the early New Left. From civil rights organizing in Mississippi, to ghetto riots in Newark, to the conspiracy trial of the Chicago 8 for Vietnam War protests at the 1968 Democratic convention, Hayden was there. His well-crafted, often eloquent memoir is a vital contribution. Highly recommended. See also James Miller's "Democracy Is in the Streets" ( LJ 7/87) and Todd Gitlin's The Sixties (Bantam, 1987) . Gregor A. Preston, Univ. of California Lib., Davis
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 541 pages
• Publisher: Crowell-Collier Pr (Macmi); 1st Collier Books ed edition (August 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0020331053
• ISBN-13: 978-0020331056
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,475,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Important Memoir about the ideals of the '60's, June 3, 1999

By 

rampageous_cuss (Under Billy Penn's Hat) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Reunion: A Memoir (Hardcover)

Tom Hayden may be best known as Jane Fonda's ex, but his historical importance comes from the fact that he was a founding member of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and played the crucial role in drafting the 'Port Huron Statement', the document which defined the foundation, at least, of the idealism of the student left. Hayden saw it come together and watched it fall apart, but while the summer soldiers came and went he applied himself to practical politics and is today a California State Senator.

Hayden's story is sad in many ways and he offers trenchant criticisms of the unreality of much of the radicals politics, and some re-thinking of positions described in his 'Port Huron Statement' and 'Trial'.