Chapter One Summary and Analysis

The first chapter of the book explains who Millenials are and why Howe and Strauss believe the age group can make a large positive impact on American society. Howe and Strauss begin by contrasting the positive self image many Millenials have of their generation with the generally negative one the media has bestowed upon them. Howe and Strauss argue that the Millenials—people born after 1982—are a far better generation by traditional measures than either Generation X or the Baby Boomers which proceeded them. Millenials dislike the other common labels of Echo Boomers and Generation Y for their generation because it denies them an independent identity. Baby Boomers and members of Generation X are marked by selfishness and a profane culture, but the Millenials are actually more optimistic and group oriented than their elders. Millenials also have...