1974: Scenes from a Year of Crisis

1974 WAS A YEAR OF MAJOR CHANGE AROUND THE WORLD.

Presidents resigned, emperors were deposed, and new governments came to power. On both sides of the Atlantic, major political figures left the scene, either through resignation or electoral defeat. Leaders of nations died. Regimes crumbled.

In society, the second wave of feminism grew in strength and the rights of historically underrepresented groups were more powerfully asserted. The BBC aired the first lesbian kiss on British TV. In Italy, the right to divorce was protected in a landmark referendum. However, terrorism and the pursuit of political ends through violence became ever more commonplace.

The arts and entertainment industries were in the midst of a period of great creativity and innovation. In America, Scorsese, Spielberg and Coppola were making their mark. Popular music was arguably at a low point but the first stirrings of the punk revolution to come could be heard in New York clubs. And a Swedish band that were to become a phenomenon won the Eurovision Song Contest.

The roots of many aspects of today's society which we take for granted lie in the 1970s and particularly in this, the decade's pivotal year.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR NICK RENNISON's 1922

'Vivid... In this enjoyable slice of popular history, Rennison assembles a month-by-month almanac, including all the most notable moments from science, politics, art and culture' - GUARDIAN

'Fascinating and highly readable ... What a memorable picture Rennison paints for us of what any minute now will be a century ago. He picks out salient events from all over the world... It's the juxtaposing of those kinds of political events with quirky, unexpected items... that make this book the opposite of soporific' - DAILY MAIL

'Entertaining and thoroughly readable canter through the events of a century ago... Fascinating' - OBSERVER

'This is a delightful book, and Rennison's selection is intelligent and lively. He has an eye for the significant detail and an agreeably dry tone... I hope Rennison has a 1923 book already well in hand and is even now researching a 1924 one. 1922 should please those who are well-versed in history, but it will also be a treat for those for whom the past is another country' - SCOTSMAN

'Its eclecticism works brilliantly... a tremendous, beguiling read' - WILLIAM BOYD