Familiar Territory: Observations on American Life

by Joseph Epstein

Selections from Epstein's column in The American Scholar reveal his perceptions and anecdotal views of the interests, activities, and philosophies of contemporary Americans

204 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 1979

About the author

Joseph Epstein is the author of, among other books, Snobbery, Friendship, and Fabulous Small Jews. He has been editor of American Scholar and has written for the New Yorker, the Atlantic, Commentary, Town and Country, and other magazines.

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays in the classical sense, which were published in The American Scholar in the 1970s. Epstein claims his goal is to provide a point of view, not necessarily a list of opinions. I think he does both (as always) with sophistication and wit. Many of the essays are, indeed, now outdated (he begins "Sinning in Black and White" by saying he wants a color television; other essays talk about the "new" trend of banning smoking in public places), but broader arguments can be applicable today. The number of other writers and cultural figures he cites is consistent throughout his o'uevre, but they're a tad aged in Familiar Territory (magazines now out-of-print, TV shows long off-air). His observations are a snapshot of a particular era of American life.

My favorites: "Boutique America!" "Jokes and Their Relation to the Conscious" and "The Opinionated Librarian"

[Annabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Familiar territory? Not to me, and I've read (and own, and enjoyed) over 20 of Mr Epstein's books, most of which are compilations of his essays. But this one did not strike a chord with me. And I doubt it was because I found it dated, having been published in 1979. It was more the style in which it was written. It was harder to grasp and visualize the writer's sentiments, somehow.

A week after reading this, I realized why the writing seemed geared to readers with more intellectual savvy: this was, after all, a compilation of Mr Epstein's contributions to The American Scholar, of which he was editor from 1974 to 1988! Thus the "essays in the classical sense..."

Still. Two stars, the lowest rating I've ever given a Joseph Epstein book.