Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Culture (Encyclopedias of Contemporary Culture) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415161614 ISBN 13: 9780415161619

Publisher: Routledge, 2000

Synopsis

As a meeting point for world cultures, the USA is characterized by its breadth and diversity. Acknowledging that diversity is the fundamental feature of American culture, this volume is organized around a keen awareness of race, gender, class and space and with over 1,200 alphabetically-arranged entries - spanning 'the American century' from the end of World War II to the present day - the Encyclopedia provides a one-stop source for insightful and stimulating coverage of all aspects of that culture.
Entries range from short definitions to longer overview essays and with full cross-referencing, extensive indexing, and a thematic contents list, this volume provides an essential cultural context for both teachers and students of American studies, as well as providing fascinating insights into American culture for the general reader. The suggestions for further reading, which follows most entries, are also invaluable guides to more specialized sources.

About this title

From Library Journal:

Another of Routledge's encyclopedias of contemporary culture (e.g., Encyclopedia of Contemporary Italian Culture, LJ 7/00), which vary substantially in quality, this successfully presents a well-balanced synthesis of the United States after World War II. The text covers all aspects of culture, from business and politics to education, arts and sciences, society, and religion. The alphabetically arranged entries range from short definitions to longer overviews that span a couple pages and treat topics as varied as Haitian Americans, Camille Paglia, Disneyland, Prozac, and censorship. A thematic list groups the entries into broad categories, such as "Civil Rights," "Film," "Gender and Sexuality," and "Urbanism and Suburbs." Given the diversity, complexity, and sheer overabundance of material, the editors acknowledge that such a work can't be exhaustive and that shortcomings and discrepancies are inevitable. Yet with its suggestions for further reading, cross references, and even Internet addresses, this work provides a good starting point for information about the issues, events, people, and places that shape, define, or represent America today. Recommended for larger public and research libraries.DAnna Youssefi, Rice Univ., Houston, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review:

"An outstanding reference work... The range is breathtaking... Should be part of the reference collection of every library." - Choice

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0415161614
• ISBN 13: 9780415161619
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 876
• Editor: Gregg Robert, McDonogh Gary W., Wong Cindy H.