The 1970s were a decade of contradictions: gasoline shortages and disco glitz, Watergate paranoia and grassroots activism, CB radio camaraderie and growing social fragmentation. These books peel back the layers, blending personal narratives, cultural criticism, and historical context to show why the ’70s still resonate today—especially for anyone fascinated by the era’s subcultures (like Radio CB!) and societal shifts.
1. The Great Inflation and Its Aftermath: The Past and Future of American Affluence by Robert J. Samuelson
If CB culture thrived during the 1973 oil embargo and economic uncertainty, this book explains the root cause: the worst inflation crisis in modern American history. Samuelson breaks down how rising prices, gas lines, and economic anxiety shaped everyday life—from truckers’ reliance on CBs to share gas station intel to suburban families’ financial stress. It’s a must-read to understand the context of the era’s grassroots communication revolution.
2. Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective (1971)
A cornerstone of 1970s feminism and counterculture, this groundbreaking book emerged from a small group of women sharing unfiltered information about their bodies, health, and sexuality. Like CB radio, it rejected top-down authority (in this case, male-dominated medical establishments) to create community and empowerment. It’s a raw, radical snapshot of the decade’s push for personal autonomy—perfect for understanding the anti-establishment spirit that fueled CB culture.
3. Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market by Walter Johnson (Bonus: Ties to 1970s Civil Rights Legacy)
While set in the 19th century, this Pulitzer Prize finalist illuminates the 1970s’ ongoing reckoning with race. The decade saw the rise of Black Power, affirmative action debates, and a renewed focus on racial justice—building on the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Johnson’s book, which rehumanizes enslaved people, echoes the 1970s’ commitment to centering marginalized voices (much like CB radios gave truckers and everyday folks a platform). Pair it with James Baldwin’s No Name in the Street (1972) for a direct look at 1970s racial politics.
4. Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died by Dave Hoekstra
Disco wasn’t just music—it was a cultural battleground of the 1970s, pitting mainstream America against LGBTQ+ communities, people of color, and youth culture. Hoekstra’s book chronicles the infamous 1979 “Disco Demolition Night” in Chicago, a violent anti-disco protest that revealed the decade’s deep divisions. Like CB slang, disco was a “secret language” for marginalized groups—making this book a fascinating counterpart to your exploration of subcultural communication.
5. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell (Bonus: Explains 1970s Cultural Virality)
Gladwell uses the 1970s as a case study for how ideas spread—including CB radio culture! He breaks down why trends like CB slang, disco, and even trucker convoys went from niche to mainstream. For anyone curious about how “breaker, breaker” and “10-4” became household phrases, this book unpacks the social dynamics that turned CB radios from a trucker tool into a national obsession.
6. History of 1970s Western Pop Music
A treasure trove for music lovers, this book (available in English translations) catalogs the decade’s iconic artists, Billboard hits, and the stories behind the songs—including C.W. McCall’s Convoy, the 1975 anthem that immortalized CB radio culture. It’s a nostalgic deep dive into the soundtrack of the ’70s, showing how music and CB chatter both served as unifying forces during a fragmented era.
7. The Right Turn: American Conservatism in the Post-War Years by George H. Nash
The 1970s weren’t just about counterculture—they laid the groundwork for modern conservatism. Nash’s book traces the rise of conservative thinkers, the backlash against the New Deal, and the seeds of the Reagan revolution. This balance of left-wing rebellion (CB radios, feminism) and right-wing resurgence makes the decade richly complex. It’s essential for understanding why authority figures like “smokey bears” (state troopers) were both feared and mocked in CB culture.
8. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson (1971)
Thompson’s gonzo journalism classic captures the chaos and disillusionment of the 1970s, as the idealism of the 1960s gave way to cynicism. While not directly about CB radio, it embodies the decade’s spirit of rebellion—characters dart across highways, flouting rules and seeking connection in a world they see as corrupt. It’s a wild, visceral read that mirrors the unfiltered energy of CB chatter.
9. The End of the Affair: The Collapse of the 1970s and the Rise of the New Right by Rick Perlstein
Perlstein’s sweeping history ties together the decade’s biggest events—Watergate, the oil crisis, the decline of labor unions—into a narrative about America’s shift toward conservatism. He shows how everyday Americans, from truckers to suburbanites, responded to crisis by clinging to community (like CB radio networks) or rejecting the status quo. It’s a comprehensive look at the forces that shaped the era’s subcultures.
10. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk (Bonus: 1970s Trauma and Resilience)
While published later, this book sheds light on a hidden 1970s reality: the trauma of the Vietnam War, which affected millions of veterans and their families. Radio CB often served as a lifeline for vets—many of whom struggled to reintegrate into society—offering a space to connect with others who understood their experiences. Van der Kolk’s exploration of trauma and community resonates with the CB culture’s focus on camaraderie in the face of pain.