David Kynaston's "Deep into the Sixties" Reviews Britain 1965-66

David Kynaston's "Deep into the Sixties: Britain 1965-66" offers a comprehensive examination of a pivotal period in British history, moving beyond the era's popular associations with cultural liberation to reveal the enduring presence of deep-seated social issues. The book highlights that while the mid-1960s are often remembered for the vibrant emergence of Carnaby Street fashion, the music of The Beatles, and the introduction of miniskirts, these cultural shifts occurred against a backdrop of persistent societal problems inherited from the previous decade. Kynaston emphasizes that the Britain of 1965-66 remained patriarchal, homophobic, rigidly class-divided, and marked by significant bigotry, which did not simply vanish with the changing times.

A stark illustration of this reality is provided by the experience of civil rights activist Malcolm X during his visit to Smethwick in February 1965. The Conservative-run local council was actively planning to purchase houses to prevent the area from becoming a "coloured ghetto." Malcolm X's attempt to witness the extent of racism firsthand was met with direct discrimination when he was refused service in a local pub. His presence was viewed as a "disgusting" intrusion by some white residents, underscoring the racial tensions present in Britain at the time. Tragically, nine days after his visit to Smethwick, Malcolm X was assassinated in the United States, a significant event that occurred within the same timeframe explored by Kynaston's work.

The book details how Black individuals in Britain endured systemic discrimination, including a color bar that affected property ownership and instances of severe racial abuse, such as Leeds United winger Albert Johanneson being targeted with "golliwog" slurs. Kynaston argues that these experiences are as significant a marker of the period as more widely recognized cultural phenomena like Prime Minister Harold Wilson's distinctive pipe, the iconic hairstyle of model Twiggy, Mary Whitehouse's campaign for cleaner television content, or Bob Dylan's controversial adoption of an electric guitar. The author meticulously balances the period's excitements with its less palatable truths, ensuring a nuanced historical perspective.

Kynaston enriches his narrative with a wealth of specific details that paint a vivid picture of daily life and evolving social norms. The introduction of multi-flavoured Golden Wonder crisps began to displace the simpler Smith's plain variety, reflecting changing consumer tastes. By 1965, one-third of all new marriages were civil ceremonies, indicating a shift away from purely religious unions. Pubs, often traditional establishments, began reluctantly installing fruit machines, a sign of evolving entertainment and commercial practices. In the realm of sports, Jimmy Hill initiated his "Sky-Blue revolution" at Coventry City Football Club. Bureaucratic changes included AA patrols no longer being required to salute, and a widespread removal of picture rails from Victorian and Edwardian homes, deemed dust traps. Consumer access to contraception improved significantly when Boots pharmacies began selling condoms from 1965. The workplace saw the arrival of open-plan offices and the convenience of hot drinks vending machines. The Mini Cooper emerged as an iconic symbol of automotive modernity during this era, embodying the spirit of innovation and design.