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Summary: The worst of the "generation" books!!!
Review: 13th Gen focuses on individualism yet they make many generalizations about my generation, the 13th generation. They classify us as one, contradicting their earlier statement of individualism. This book focuses more on the older part of the 13th generation and fails to focus on the younger 13ers. The time span between the two groups of 13ers is too large. The life of a 30 year old is completely different than that of an 18 year old, however, comments still refer to the entire generation.13th gen focuses on the differences between the generations, yet fails to show the similarities. They fail to give appropriate pinpoints as to where our values come from and says that we are very materialistic and call us "sexual reactionaries". This book is very hypocritical and focuses on too many negative aspects of our generation. They say that we are stupid and have no family values, but enrollment into universities for our generation is at it's all time high. This book also says that my generation are subsidized by their parents, when most of us have jobs and are involved in after school activities. This book is a horrible depiction of my generation and should be read only if you're in the mood for a good laugh.
Rating: 
Summary: Ambitious effort falls short of being good.
Review: 13th Gen. is a very well meaning and ambitious effort, but isn't that good. Much of the book comes accross pretentiously, using sweeping generalizations and over exegerating generational differences. Also, this book makes so many current social refereces, it already seems dated only 6 years later. For better reading on generational studies we suggest the author Grace Palladino.
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Summary: From the viewpoint of young 13ers, we were offended.
Review: A book filled with random quotes and cartoons throughout the text is filled with information agreeable and disagreeable to us. We felt that our generation is materialistic and the concept of "premature affluence" was relevant. We agree that the older generations think we are "dumb, slackers." We disagree with points such as 13ers being drug-addicted and having no future careers(just McDonalds Workers). The book isn't about our age group. It is generalized on certain groups of kids in our generation(the bad kids). We recommend that the book be updated. It is more about the older part of our generation than about us(mostly about teens of the 80s). Overall, we didn't agree or like the book 13th Gen.
Rating: 
Summary: phew
Review: A very negative review of my generation. This book portrays a negative outlook for the 13th gen, but in drawing this conclusion totally disregards any evidence which might lead to an alternative conclusion. This book has no redeeming value as literature. In reading, one got the impression that this book was tossed together using whatever might be mildly relevant just as an addition to the author's resume.
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Summary: I finally understand myself!
Review: After long being accused by writers as being "slackers" and "apathetic," finally a book comes along that explores Generation X in the historical context of being the 13th Generation - an exploration that forces the reader to reconsider their opinion of our misunderstood generation. Mr. Strauss explains that no generation can be defined in a vaccuum. Instead one must understand the preceeding generations as well as the social, political, and economic forces in place during the growth of a generation. Furthermore, generational characteristics and the social, political, and economic environment is cyclical, a theme which he explores in a later work, The 4th Turning.
As a member of the 13th Generation, I knew I was different than my parents and much different than my younger siblings (all members of the Millenium Generation). I went to an elementary school where the classrooms had no walls and students were asked how they "felt" and facts were discouraged. The free-swinging 70's found Playboy and Penthouse in parent's bedrooms, available for the neighborhood kids to sneak and explore. I have been through 2 family divorces and now have 3 half siblings and 3 step siblings - 2 of whom are named Jeff. I have always felt a little lost and very much alone. Reading this book helped me to understand more about myself, without giving me too many "outs" to excuse my life choices. Instead, Mr. Strauss provides facts (and yes, a little opinion)so that myself and other 13ers may rethink our role in society (we're not all slackers) and begin to make our mark in history.
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Summary: An interesting persepective of the 13th generation.
Review: An interesting perspective of those belonging to the 13th generation. Provides a non-traditional perception of the generation in terms of atitudes, styles, beliefs, perspectives, etc. in a non-traditional form and style of writing. Simply put it is a fun and interesting piece of reading that portrays this generation in a way that has never been thought of before. The text is accompanied by creative cartoons and quotes that work to enhance the interest and understanding of the reading.
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Summary: The best of the "generation" books
Review: As a disillusioned Baby Boomer (still hoping my generation will rally from its yuppie-puritan rut to restore its Sixties roots), I found this book astonishingly incisive. Having lived with 13ers (Xers) in student housing for several years, I can say this book captures the two generations perfectly. One understandable flaw: too many flat elder lies about "kids today" are presented as statistical and research fact, when in truth crime, drug, and other measures show it is the Baby Boom's (not kids') behaviors which have deteriorated drastically. Which is why our "huge collective egos" need such relentless inflating, usually involving slander against the "demographic junk we see in our rearview mirrors." The artwork in this book, and the text, both are worth the price many times over. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Take a proper gander at Howe and Strauss
Review: dogma: "A doctrinal notion asserted without regard to evidence or truth; an arbitrary dictum." (Webster's) dogmatism: "Arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief." (American Heritage Dictionary) Just like their falling-all-over-themselves fawning portrayal of today's teens and young 20-somethings in "Millenials Rising," in this book Howe and Strauss relentlessly champion one, single, dogmatic point of view. Between the two books, you would think Generation X is the cause and locus of most of America's cultural problems, while the previous and following generations seem to be mostly virtuous. Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't argue the reverse; and Howe and Strauss do capture some aspects of Gen X history and psychology accurately. But they articulate these exceptions only because they happen to support their laser-narrow thesis. Unfortunately, they make virtually no attempt to strengthen their assertions by presenting and deconstructing opposing arguments. Fraught with misrepresentations, overgeneralizations and deceptively selective stat-mongering, this book is nothing more than the well-written, vaguely interesting dogmatism of two men who, for whatever reason, seem to feel threatened by Gen-Xers. The two books, "13th Gen" and "Millenials Rising," together make up a "systematic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause." That is the American Heritage Dictionary definition of a word that has been censored from my review but which you can find between "prop" and "propagate" in your dictionary. Take a proper gander at it.
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Summary: --
Review: Hey, when are you guys going to put up my review for this book?
Rating:
Summary: Take a proper gander at Howe and Strauss
Review: I agree with one of the other reviewers: this book describes the older end of the 13ers. I am a 13er (born in 70) and find this book to be an interesting and entertaining discussion about the differences between the generations. I see that many 13ers are offended at the book, and I can only think that these people take things WAY too personally. I also think that the book does a good job explaining how older generations don't want to give up control and have difficulty passing the torch to the up and coming generation.
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