This book looks attempts to analyze the Millennial generation. Sections include "Where they come from", "who they are", and "where they're going".

What I like most about Millennials Rising is its explanation of the dynamics that influence each generation, in general and with much analysis of Millennials in particular. Howe and Strauss theorize that the generations repeat each other in a cycle of four. Each generation solves the biggest problem facing its immediate predecessor, corrects for the behavioral excesses of the now midlife generation, and fills the social void being left by the current elders. To explain this cycle relative to the current Millennial generation and their Boomer and Gen X parents, the authors reference the most recent 5 generations, which they define as follows: Lost, 1883-1900; G. I., 1901-1924; Silent, 1925-1942; Boom, 1943-1960; X, 1961-1981; Millennial, 1982-2002. The Millennials reject the jaded self-reliance they see in Generation X. Instead, they consciously opt for optimism, to work in teams, and to return society back toward rules and decency. "You don't rebel against Boomers by being uber-Xers. You rebel by being G.I. redux, a youthful update of the generation against which the Boomers themselves rebelled, so famously in the 1960's and 1970's."

Since this book was published in 2000, the Millennials have grown such that the youngest are nearly teenagers and the oldest are entering the ranks of management. With ten years of history now available, many of the authors' predictions have proven true. For example, the Millennial generation still maintains a more conservative fiscal outlook and better savings rates compared to their parents. Perhaps the upcoming generation will be too risk averse. Their grandparents might even think their legacy is lost, as their heirs fail to continue challenging the Establishment (which the raucous Boomer's of the 60's have now become). Despite these concerns, it's most inspiring to see a trend toward optimism and collaboration now emerging into maturity. ( )

Decoding generations: two books are optimistic about the coming generations but for different, and sometimes contradictory, reasons.

Excellent overview of this young generation. ( )

A book about the generation just coming of age. ( )