This book of essays addresses changes in the U.S. social scene by examining the roots of change in history. The present is pregnant with many futures and citizens cannot afford to live from an intellectually simple, ahistorical stance. The book contains 12 chapters, including: (1) "Introduction: The Past in the Present"; (2) "The Coalescing of Discrete Trends"; (3) "The Individual and the Theme of Liberation"; (4) "The University as a Barometer of Social Change"; (5) "Personal Barometers"; (6) "The Changing Ecology of Child Rearing"; (7) "The Abortion Issue"; (8) "Recollected Sexual Memories"; (9) "Working and Loving"; (10) "Artistic Expression"; (11) "Power Relationships in Our Schools"; and (12) "Cities and Schools." (EH)