Defining Visions: Television and the American Experience in the 20th Century - Softcover

Watson, Mary Ann

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1405170530 ISBN 13: 9781405170536

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2008

Synopsis

Defining Visions is a powerful narrative social history that examines television’s rise as the great “certifying agent” in American life. This newly updated and fully revised edition extends its coverage to the end of the 20th century. It defines the “Television Age” as a discrete period in American history bracketed by monumental events―the triumph of the Allied victory of WWII and the devastation of 9/11.

• A powerful narrative social history that examines television’s rise as the great 'certifying agent' in American life
• Extends its coverage to the end of the twentieth century, and defines the 'Television Age' as a discrete period in American history that is bracketed by the end of WWII and 9/11
• Includes discussions of the Monica Lewinsky scandal and Clinton impeachment; the massacre at Columbine High School; the 2000 presidential election; and the tragic events of September 11, 2001
• Considers the cultural impact of recent prime-time programs such as Seinfeld, CSI and Will & Grace
• Presents a sweeping account of the connections between TV and American culture

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Defining Visions is a powerful narrative social history that examines television’s rise as the great “certifying agent” in American life. This newly updated and fully revised edition extends its coverage to the end of the 20th century. It defines the “Television Age” as a discrete period in American history bracketed by monumental events – the triumph of the Allied victory in World War II and the devastation of 9/11.

The new edition includes discussions of key events in American history and TV history since the book’s original publication in 1997, including the Monica Lewinsky scandal and Clinton impeachment; the massacre at Columbine High School; the 2000 presidential election; and the television coverage of September 11, 2001. In addition, the book considers the cultural impact of recent prime-time programs such as Seinfeld, CSI, and Will & Grace.

As with the successful first edition, Defining Visions: Television and the American Experience in the 20th Century is thematically organized and presents a sweeping account of the connections between the medium and American culture. It tells the story of how television not only covered history in the 20th century but also actively influenced its course.

About the Author:

Mary Ann Watson is Professor of Electronic Media and Film Studies at Eastern Michigan University. She is author of The Expanding Vista: American Television in the Kennedy Years (1994) and has been a consultant to several museum exhibitions and documentary films. Watson serves on the editorial board of Television Quarterly and is a frequent contributor to its pages.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1405170530
• ISBN 13: 9781405170536
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 310