American Culture in the 1970s

Will Kaufman's American Culture in the 1970s belongs on the shelf of every Americanist and in all libraries with collections of American Studies. Invaluable as an introduction to that 'vibrant decade demanding renewed critical scrutiny' or to American Studies in general, the book guides us through the turbulent 70s while providing a solid basis for further reading and research. Kaufmann constructs a spirited debate with those who have written off the decade as narcissistic (Christopher Lasch) or hedonistic (Daniel Bell) demonstrating as he goes the 'momentous strides [that] were taken across a range of social and political landscapes' and the variety and richness of the culture. He focuses, for instance, on Watergate Hearings as theatre, film (Taxi Driver, Star Wars), spectacular sports ('The Rumble in the Jungle,' King's defeat of Riggs), literature (Carver, Mamet), photography (Diane Arbus), pop culture (Warhol), and music (Springsteen, Disco). Extensively researched and lucidly written American Culture in the 1970s is a pleasure to read and learn from. -- Donald E Morse, Emeritus Professor of English and Rhetoric, Oakland University, USA and Distinguished University Professor of American, Irish, and English Literature, Debrecen University, Hungary Will Kaufman's American Culture in the 1970s belongs on the shelf of every Americanist and in all libraries with collections of American Studies. Invaluable as an introduction to that 'vibrant decade demanding renewed critical scrutiny' or to American Studies in general, the book guides us through the turbulent 70s while providing a solid basis for further reading and research. Kaufmann constructs a spirited debate with those who have written off the decade as narcissistic (Christopher Lasch) or hedonistic (Daniel Bell) demonstrating as he goes the 'momentous strides [that] were taken across a range of social and political landscapes' and the variety and richness of the culture. He focuses, for instance, on Watergate Hearings as theatre, film (Taxi Driver, Star Wars), spectacular sports ('The Rumble in the Jungle,' King's defeat of Riggs), literature (Carver, Mamet), photography (Diane Arbus), pop culture (Warhol), and music (Springsteen, Disco). Extensively researched and lucidly written American Culture in the 1970s is a pleasure to read and learn from.