Part of the "Longman Topics" reader series, The Counterculture Reader provides a fascinating look at American culture in the 60's. This brief collection of readings presents an engaging and informed overview of the counterculture movement, challenging students to understand "what happened and why." Featuring writings from the Beats, the literary counterculture, feminists, gays, and rock musicians, the themes discussed include: the women's movement; black power; and gay pride. Divided into seven parts, each features five or more essays of varying lengths. Brief apparatus helps students read and write more thoughtfully about the idea of counterculture and think critically about its effects on contemporary culture. "Longman Topics" are brief, attractive readers on a single complex, but compelling, topic. Featuring about 30 full-length selections, these volumes are generally half the size and half the cost of standard composition readers.