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Steven Amick
, October 25, 2009
A fascinating and thoroughly researched history -- not only of the fabulous Oregon Country Fair, but of the countercultural evolution, from the beats and hippies of the Sixties through 1980, in the Pacific Northwest.
Suzi Prozanski, a terrific reporter whose writing is fun to read, emphasizes the linkages and cross-fertilizations of many of the ideas and ideals shared by hard-working, hearty-partying visionaries who generated and sustain pro-peace, co-operative living, back-to-the-land, alternative energy and social service communities from Santa Cruz, California, to La Conner, Washington, with major hubs in Portland and, especially, Eugene.
For a vision of how good life could be all the time, for all of us -- and is, for tens of thousands, at least three days every summer -- read Fruit of the Sixties.
I finished it almost at one sitting and wishing for more. Thankfully, a second volume is in the works.
The only improvement over the first that I could recommend is to have more stories and insights from the people who really ARE the fair -- the visitors it draws, then playfully paints in a cosmic kaleidoscope of colors and costumes, hope and joy.
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