Includes bibliographical references (p. 401-437) and index.

Introduction: Beyond the myths -- bk. 1. I'm not that kind of person: 1. You make your own chances : wealth as an educational goal. 2. You don't have a say : individualism as survival. 3. I feel a little fearful : the reluctance to speak. 4. The right kind of friends : climbing the economic ladder. 5. America on the slide : coping with decline. 6. Divied loyalties : making it from the bottom -- 7. The broken connection : history and memory. 8. Spitting on soldiers? : Vietnam revisited. 9. An unsentimental education : ethical detachment in the classroom. 10. I;ll work from within : involvement deferred. 11. Diminished dreams : shaping a culture of retreat -- bk. 2. I had to take a stand: Introduction. A stake in the future. 12. Fighting for the land : farm activism returns. 13. Greeks for peace : social concern on fraternity row. 14. Crossing the line : the genesis of student activists. 15. A house still divided : the campus politics of race. 16. The world of the activists : communities of concern. 17. Tangible fruits : the community service movement. 18. Shades of green : the tree huggers and the politicos -- bk. 3. World in motion: Introduction. Uncertain times. 19. Coming back to concern : the resurgence of student involvement. 20. I don't want to be a biscuit babe : the CUNY strikes. 21. Whose history, whose voice : the politics of political correctness. 22. Sustaining the vision : every generation changes the world.