Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Poplorica by Martin J. Smith and Patrick J. Kiger

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Collins; Reprint edition (April 12, 2005)
  • ISBN-10: 0060535326
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060535322
  • List Price: $12.95
  • I finished this book on Feb. 20
Okay, so this book officially wins the longest subtitle award, ready? Here is it: A Popular History of the Fads, Mavericks, Inventions, and Lore that Shaped Modern America. Yeah. So that's that. I don't even have to describe it, it's right there for you.
Basically the book is set up so that each chapter is one thing that supposedly super affected our culture. I really liked a few of the entries, but I was not so hot on most of them. I understand the impact that lawn care, air conditioning and wrinkle free fabric had on society, but that is not really the fun, silly stuff I was hoping for. My favorite entries are, of course the one on Night of the Living Dead and the one on Kinsey's honeymoon. (Not just because I heart zombies and sex, either...okay, that's why) I also enjoyed the inclusion of velvet art. Even though I appreciated the addition of these fun things I was not in love with this book.
There was something about it that made even interesting topics seem dull. I guess the writing style just didn't appeal to me that much. Nothing about it was exciting. The last chapter is titled "Think we blew it?" this is in reference to their choices. They invite people to share their choices at their website. But it wasn't necessarily the choices that I didn't like, it was the writing.
One plus though, is that at the end of each chapter there is a little "Want More?" section with suggested reading on each topic. And the back has a full list of citations and further reading by chapter. The librarian in my liked that. But there was something lacking in the overall presentation of this book. Le sigh.
Because I do love pop culture, and I don't recommend this book, here are some of my favorite pop culture blogs for your viewing (aka: time wasting) pleasure.
Pop Candy
Best Week Ever
PopSugar
Pop Goes the Library

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