In 1979, crises, revolutions and euphoric upheavals were accumulating worldwide. The Iranian revolution, the admission of the Boat People, the opening of China, Margaret Thatcher's neoliberal turn, the nuclear accident in Harrisburg or the foundation of the Green Party brought new topics from Islamism to environmental protection onto the world’s political agenda.

In his brilliant panorama, Frank Bösch describes how these events came to light in 1979 and the far-reaching consequences they had: politically, culturally and - with appeals to save energy, Nicaragua coffee, xenophobia and welcome culture - also for our everyday life. A fascinating journey through time to the sources of our present.