Coming Apart: An Informal History of America in the 1960's Review

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(More customer reviews)O'Neill's Coming Apart was written in 1969 -- a fact that would seem to disqualify it as cultural history. But in fact the author's closeness to the zeitgeist, as well as his freewheeling willingness to speak his mind and waffle around with mummified standards of "argument" and "evidence" make for a truly good narrative. The author is an extremely smart, well-informed person who writes equally well about politics, diplomacy, the drug scene, Vietnam, and everything else that seemed to define the decade, and does so with a verve that makes you feel like you are there -- or at least there with the author. It is brilliantly informative, and funny at times. Deserves the Parkman Prize if there were any justice in the world.

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William O'Neill's masterly chronicle of the twentieth century's most confounding decade is an immensely readable book that combines wit with learning and seriousness with entertainment. Its emphasis is inevitably on politics, but it offers a brilliant yet balanced portrayal of the New Left, the counterculture, the civil rights movement, the plunge into Vietnam, the crisis in the universities, and the freakier aspects of the popular culture. It has endured as one of the great interpretations of the sixties.

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Religion and Popular Culture in America Review

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(More customer reviews)This text, which is , in fact an anthology of academic papers on the topic of religion(s) and popular culture is limited by the fact that it only deals with the United States while claiming to deal with America? Other than this, however the essays are for the most part informative, intelligent and lucid in an easily accessible diction and content. Not being a huge fan of abstract theoretical constructions myself, I found the articles well-organized and significant in their content. At the same time, the extensive annotated bibliographies that accompanied each article were useful for myself in tracking down relevant data with regards to the articles about the internet, Pale Rider and Rap music and would, I assume, be likewise for those interested in pursuing other subjects such as the presence of sports and religion or weight loss as a soteriological undertaking.
While I definitely feet that there is a tremendous amount to be gained from reading these articles as far as their in-depth analysis of the interrelationship between Religion and Popular Culture in the United States, I also was intrigued by the fact that. The editors of the volume as well as the vast majority of their contributors felt compelled to support, or rather accepted as a foregone conclusion the concept that religious and popular cultures constitute two areas of thought and endeavor that are, more or less, mutually distinguishable. It seemed to me, even before reading the text, that religion is, primarily another manifestation of popular culture. One of its unique characteristics is the attempt of its supporters to construct an immutable facade which belies the extreme volatility and changeability of even its most cherished and central concepts and practices.

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Lonely Planet USA Review

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(More customer reviews)Whilst I didn't enjoy this guide as much as some of the other Lonely Planet books I have previously used, this was nonetheless a handy addition to a trip of nearly 3 months covering 9 States.
Whilst I wouldn't recommend it for short trips or 1 state visits for longer trips then I think it is worth the money - even if you just need tips and advice on budget accommodation, motels and restaurants.
Let's face it, trying to cram 50 States worth of information into one publication is not an easy task but in my opinion I feel that this book along with the rest of the Lonely Planet series continue to be the easiest to use and best guide books available.
If you are planning on only visiting a few States or visiting for a short break then my advice would be to either buy an indiviudal guide for the relevant State/City, check the internet for useful information or ask someone else who has been before.
For those of us who cannot lug or afford up to 50 separate books or are on a budget trip of some sort would find this guide useful if not at least for the information regarding local culture and customs.

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This Lonely Planet guide covers all 50 U.S. states. It is packed with pre-trip planning advice, itinerary suggestions, distance charts and tips on the most interesting way of getting from A to B.

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Baseball's Pivotal Era, 1945-1951 Review

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(More customer reviews)This book examines baseball during the term of A. B. (Happy) Chandler as commissioner. It is based on extensive oral history interviews, thorough archival research, and the author's keen sensibilities about baseball. I relished reading the book because it filled a significant gap in my knowledge of the game. Marshall is especially strong on the role of free agency and how this manifested itself in the Mexican league of the post-war era. His general knowledge of players, managers, and management is impressive. Finally, this book is well written, without academic jargon. "Baseball's Pivotal Era" merits reading by fans and scholars alike.

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