The American Century: Varieties of Culture in Modern Times - Softcover

Cantor, Norman F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 006092876X ISBN 13: 9780060928766

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 1998

Synopsis

Twentieth-century culture from Mao to McLuhan, The Rite of Spring to The Right Stuff, Freud to Frank Lloyd Wright, Eliot to Elvis, Marxism to modernism.

About this title

Review:

Norman Cantor writes as if he were present for each event and movement, both large and small, since 1900, so clear is his analysis of society, culture, and politics. In this massive book Cantor tackles seemingly everything--whether modernism, folk music, psychoanalysis, or the atomic bomb--placing each in its proper context while cleverly intertwining themes and drawing intriguing comparisons. A distinguished scholar of history, sociology, and comparative history, Cantor deftly incorporates a staggering amount of information and observations into a coherent package that will challenges readers' perceptions and ideas. Spiced with wit and wisdom, The American Century is at turns brilliant, controversial, and fascinating.

From the Publisher:

Similar to Paul Johnson's bestselling Modern Times in scope and perspective, The Light and the Dark is a completely revised edition of Cantor's Twentieth-Century Culture, which was first published in 1988. With 35% new material, it is the magnum opus of an historian, teacher and author of great distinction.

Deftly moving from movies to Marxism, Freud to Feminism, Cantor covers an exhaustive range of topics relating to the vibrant culture of the 20th century. Whether discussing the importance of cheap housing, expounding on the Victorian roots of modernism or providing reviews of what he feels are the century's 100 most significant films, he writes with an extraordinary depth that will fascinate readers.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 006092876X
• ISBN 13: 9780060928766
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 672