The Historical Contexts and Contemporary Uses of Mass Observation
1930s to the Present
Lucy D Curzon editor Dr Benjamin Jones editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:14th Nov '24
£85.00
Supplier delay - available to order, but may take longer than usual.
A multifaceted exploration of Mass-Observation as an innovative research organization, a social-movement, and an archival project.
The Historical Contexts and Contemporary Uses of MassObservation embraces new approaches and themes that highlight Mass Observation’s long history as an innovative research organization, a social movement, and an archival project. Spanning the period from Mass Observation’s inception to the present day, essay authors discuss a wide range of topics including anthropology, history, popular politics, cultural studies, literature, selfhood, emotion, art and visual studies. Indeed, what emerges across this volume is confirmation that engagement with Mass Observation—whether its historical materials or those produced in the last decade—is crucial to understanding the vast array of experiences that make up British life.
Curzon and Jones are to be warmly congratulated for assembling such a delicious and distinctive set of contributions. Each chapter reveals scintillating new riches from the inexhaustible fount of felt thoughts and thoughtful feelings that is Mass-Observation. This is essential, engaging and delightful reading. * Ben Highmore, Professor of Cultural Histories, University of Sussex, UK, author of Lifestyle Revolution: How Taste Changed Class in Late 20th-Century Britain *
Mass Observation has been one of the most important social experiments in British life since the 1930s, an ‘anthropology of our ourselves’ in the everyday and through extraordinary times. This superb and wide-ranging collection maps the importance of M-O to understanding modern Britain and offers critical new interdisciplinary perspectives. * Stephen Brooke, Professor of History, York University, Canada *
For so many years, I have observed the scholars who use the MO Archive struggling with both methodological and theoretical questions to justify their choice of source. What kind of evidence does the Archive provide? This book is their answer: a wonderful compendium of strategies, perspectives, insights and interpretations. * Dorothy Sheridan, Archivist & Director, Mass Observation Archive, 1974-2010 *
ISBN: 9781350215757
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
248 pages