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The Art of Democracy 2nd Edition: A Concise History of Popular Culture in the United States
"Cullen's strength comes from his understanding of how the different strands of American society intertwine in imaginative, unpredictable ways ... The shape and vitality of pop culture's next era will depend, at least in part, on commentators like Cullen."
— Washington Post Book World
"A thoroughly engaging look at American culture ... Cullen's articulate prose is spiced with wicked wit and he loves a good story ... Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of complex cultural forces."
— Publishers Weekly
"Reflecting both the strengths and weaknesses of an unusually dynamic area of historical scholarship, The Art of Democracy is one of the best surveys of the history of American popular culture."
— Journal of American History
"An exceptionally well-written and engrossing introduction to the nonelitist art forms of American popular culture ... Highly recommended."
— Library Journal, starred review
"Should be kept on hand to restore our faith in the things that matter to us."
— American Studies
Popular culture has been a powerful force in the United States, resonating within the society as a whole and at the same time connecting disparate and even hostile constituencies. The novels of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the theater and minstrel shows of the mid-19th century, movies and the introduction of television and computers in the 20th century are the building blocks that Jim Cullen uses to show how unique and vibrant cultural forms overcame initial resistance and enabled historically marginalized groups to gain access to the fruits of society and recognition from the mainstream.
This updated edition contains a new preface and final chapter which traces the history of contemporary computing from its World War II origins as a military tool to its widespread use in the late 20th century as a tool for the masses. Cullen shows how the computer is reshaping popular culture, and how that culture retains its capacity to surprise and disturb.
The highly acclaimed first edition of The Art of Democracy won the 1996 Ray and Pat Brown Award for "Best Book," presented by the Popular Culture Association.
— Washington Post Book World
"A thoroughly engaging look at American culture ... Cullen's articulate prose is spiced with wicked wit and he loves a good story ... Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of complex cultural forces."
— Publishers Weekly
"Reflecting both the strengths and weaknesses of an unusually dynamic area of historical scholarship, The Art of Democracy is one of the best surveys of the history of American popular culture."
— Journal of American History
"An exceptionally well-written and engrossing introduction to the nonelitist art forms of American popular culture ... Highly recommended."
— Library Journal, starred review
"Should be kept on hand to restore our faith in the things that matter to us."
— American Studies
Popular culture has been a powerful force in the United States, resonating within the society as a whole and at the same time connecting disparate and even hostile constituencies. The novels of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the theater and minstrel shows of the mid-19th century, movies and the introduction of television and computers in the 20th century are the building blocks that Jim Cullen uses to show how unique and vibrant cultural forms overcame initial resistance and enabled historically marginalized groups to gain access to the fruits of society and recognition from the mainstream.
This updated edition contains a new preface and final chapter which traces the history of contemporary computing from its World War II origins as a military tool to its widespread use in the late 20th century as a tool for the masses. Cullen shows how the computer is reshaping popular culture, and how that culture retains its capacity to surprise and disturb.
The highly acclaimed first edition of The Art of Democracy won the 1996 Ray and Pat Brown Award for "Best Book," presented by the Popular Culture Association.
346 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 16, 2019
A decent look at the development of pop culture in the US. The early chapters of the book are the strongest, while the later chapters dealing with the post-war Years feel rushed and somewhat shallow.
Cullen also has a tendency to focus intentionally on the suffering of women and minorities in a way that sometimes feels insincere and caters to a certain sort of liberal crowd who would be interested and removed enough from what is popular to read a 300+ page academic book about pop culture. Here is a beautiful and perplexing example of the Ivory Tower in action.
Cullen also has a tendency to focus intentionally on the suffering of women and minorities in a way that sometimes feels insincere and caters to a certain sort of liberal crowd who would be interested and removed enough from what is popular to read a 300+ page academic book about pop culture. Here is a beautiful and perplexing example of the Ivory Tower in action.
June 14, 2023
This was hella good even though it was slow at times.
November 10, 2015
It's just barely adequate in size and scope for the enormous and complex topic it sets out to address. The author seems to have only a few overriding concerns in the writing of such a work (maybe he broadens his sphere in his other projects?) He is mainly concerned with white culture vs black culture. Is that the only way to approach American history?
Example: to treat both the history of American magazine publishing and the history of American feminism (and doing justice to neither subject matter) the author devotes a chapter to the career of Fanny Fern, who first revolutionized women's advice columns found in periodicals. Yawn.
There is a good chapter on the Astor Place Riots --but nothing you can't get from the internet. Similarly, the chapter on Billie Holliday. Equally so, the chapters on Charlie Chaplin and Coney Island.
Is all this material not covered better and deeper in other textbooks? Why waste a whole chapter on Archie Bunker, the Jeffersons, and Carl Reiner? Does that really (pun alert) 'give us a good picture' of the television age?
Barely redeeming all this is a chapter devoted to the great Bert Williams of the old vaudeville circuit. Thank goodness for small favors!
This is a decent--if bland-- 'overview' type of textbook helpful in skimming general material such as timelines, births/deaths, general influences of what-on-which. Not good for fine detail and no really bold assertions.
Example: to treat both the history of American magazine publishing and the history of American feminism (and doing justice to neither subject matter) the author devotes a chapter to the career of Fanny Fern, who first revolutionized women's advice columns found in periodicals. Yawn.
There is a good chapter on the Astor Place Riots --but nothing you can't get from the internet. Similarly, the chapter on Billie Holliday. Equally so, the chapters on Charlie Chaplin and Coney Island.
Is all this material not covered better and deeper in other textbooks? Why waste a whole chapter on Archie Bunker, the Jeffersons, and Carl Reiner? Does that really (pun alert) 'give us a good picture' of the television age?
Barely redeeming all this is a chapter devoted to the great Bert Williams of the old vaudeville circuit. Thank goodness for small favors!
This is a decent--if bland-- 'overview' type of textbook helpful in skimming general material such as timelines, births/deaths, general influences of what-on-which. Not good for fine detail and no really bold assertions.
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May 1, 2008Recommended by the pop culture blog, A List Of Things Thrown 5 Minutes Ago [http://throwingthings.blogspot.com]
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September 24, 2017US 8.0
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews