Christmas, Ideology and Popular Culture

This book represents an excellent addition to the literature on Christmas and Festivals. In particular it demonstrates the value of sustained attention to various forms of media and popular culture, including music, visual culture and cinema in the constitution and reconstitution of Christmas. Moreover, the historical perspective throws significant light on the ongoing changing nature of the performance of such significant events in the contemporary world. -- Professor Brian Longhurst, University of Salford This is an absorbing collection of essays, and it makes an impressive job of introducing ideological issues in an accessible way. In covering such diverse topics as family and home, cards and carols, religious beliefs, shopping, Christmas chart hits, TV and films, each author presents the reader with thought-provoking insight into much that usually goes unquestioned. -- Professor Derek B. Scott, University of Leeds Do they know it's Christmas? Sheila Whiteley and the other contributors to Christmas, Ideology and Popular Culture certainly do. The book traces the construction of Christmas from pagan ritual to Christian celebration, where charity, compassion, and goodwill compete with unreal expectations, family tensions, and the suffering of those less fortunate. Taking the reader behind the facade of festive follies and family values to reveal the crass commercialism and corporate chicanery that have always been part of the mix, this book is a must read for anyone interested in exploring the meaning and contradictions of this global festival! and a great holiday gift to boot. -- Reebee Garofalo, University of Massachusetts Boston This book represents an excellent addition to the literature on Christmas and Festivals. In particular it demonstrates the value of sustained attention to various forms of media and popular culture, including music, visual culture and cinema in the constitution and reconstitution of Christmas. Moreover, the historical perspective throws significant light on the ongoing changing nature of the performance of such significant events in the contemporary world. This is an absorbing collection of essays, and it makes an impressive job of introducing ideological issues in an accessible way. In covering such diverse topics as family and home, cards and carols, religious beliefs, shopping, Christmas chart hits, TV and films, each author presents the reader with thought-provoking insight into much that usually goes unquestioned. Do they know it's Christmas? Sheila Whiteley and the other contributors to Christmas, Ideology and Popular Culture certainly do. The book traces the construction of Christmas from pagan ritual to Christian celebration, where charity, compassion, and goodwill compete with unreal expectations, family tensions, and the suffering of those less fortunate. Taking the reader behind the facade of festive follies and family values to reveal the crass commercialism and corporate chicanery that have always been part of the mix, this book is a must read for anyone interested in exploring the meaning and contradictions of this global festival! and a great holiday gift to boot.