The 1980s (American Popular Culture Through History)

Description

The eighties are seen by many as a time of excess and extremes. From Boy George to Madonna, metal heads to valley girls, and workout clothes to shoulder pads, many pushed the boundaries of what was was conventional. After a decade of war, disillusionment of the government, advances in civil rights, and disco, Americans became status seekers and shopaholics and the Me generation was born. Twelve narrative chapters describe the decade of decedence and its impact on popular culture including: the AIDS epidemic, preppies, Miami Vice , the Rubik's Cube, E.T., hair bands, the advent of the personal computer, malls, Ronald Reagan, Pac-Man, Cheers , Stephen King, Michael Jackson, the shuttle Challenger explosion, Bonfire of the Vanities , music videos, Roseanne , the power suit, Less Than Zero , rap music, and The Cosby Show , among many others. Chapters on Everyday America and the World of Youth describe the important changes in American society, from Ronald Reagan's War on Drugs, to latch-key kids, to Black Monday. The following ten chapters explore the many aspects of popular culture-everything from advertising to fashion, literature to music, travel to the visual arts-that influenced Americans in the eighties. Supplemental resources include a timeline of important events, an extensive bibliography for further reading and a subject index. Review: Very thorough, engaging, and entertaining! - This well-written little hardbound book delves into the popular culture of the 1980s at a level that exceeds anything else I've read about the decade. You name it, Bob Batchelor and Scott Stoddart, covers it. From the Jane Fonda fad to best-selling books to movies of all genres. I particularly liked the breakdown of the film genres (including "The Return of the Sequel" and "Marital Relations" to name a few) - oh yes, we get to relive "Fatal Attraction," still scaring the crap out of middle-aged men the world over. If you're looking for a book with more than just lists of facts, this is a great overview of the Decade of Decadence! Tom Harvey Author of "The Eighties: A Bitchen Time To Be a Teenager!" Review: Four Stars - Interesting. Nostalgic.