Boob Jubilee: The Mad Cultural Politics of the New Economy: Salvos from the Baffler [Paperback]

Tom Frank (Editor), Dave Mulcahey (Editor), Studs Terkel (Preface)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2003

For a magazine dedicated to debunking the USA's business culture, the final years of the 20th century overflowed with bounty. "It was the most spectacular outbreak of mass delirium that we are likely to see in our lifetimes", wrote the editors of "The Baffler". What was for others the dawn of a "New Economy" was for "The Baffler" a cornucopia of absurdity - the costliest political and financial hustle in living memory. Reporting from places far from the white-hot centres of the libertarian revolution, "Baffler" writers were the people of whom it was fashionable to say, "they just don't get it". While New Democrats turned somersaults for Wall Street and economic commentary became puffery, these bold, talented and very funny writers observed the crescendo of folly with which the century turned. Here their best writings are selected, updated and reaffirmed to sharpen our wits and inoculate us against follies yet to come.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The editors of the Baffler, a magazine dedicated to debunking the nation's business culture, present a collection of their best articles that challenge the powerful corporate interests in society. The "new economy" of the 1990s is described as a cornucopia of absurdity fueled by a deadly failure of critical intelligence. World-renowned business journalism was frequently a hoax with its groundswell of favorable commentary on companies such as Enron and WorldCom. The hype dissolved with the destruction of $4 trillion of NASDAQ value, and famous pundits as well as ordinary reporters denied responsibility for their coverage of what turned out to be systemic financial abuse. The book's essays include topics such as Volvo's extravagant press junkets to influence reporting; a quaint Irish pub in Chicago (which is the marketing brainchild of Guinness Brewing); the supposed truth about Al Capp and his famous comic strip, Lil Abner; a "Dream Night" with Amway; and many more^B critiques of corporate power. Mary Whaley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Tom Frank is the author of One Market Under God and The Conquest of Cool. Dave Mulcahey is managing editor of The Baffler. They live in Chicago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393324303
• ISBN-13: 978-0393324303
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars They sky really did fall., April 27, 2005

By 

Jose Requena "Naïve and Proud" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boob Jubilee: The Mad Cultural Politics of the New Economy: Salvos from the Baffler (Paperback)

The wit and humor of the writers may be lost on many, their views and ideas old and cynical and their messages falling on deaf ears. Funny thing is, they know this and write anyway. The book consist of article that were written before "the bubble popped" for the new economy. They do criticize our culture and do so without flinching or holding back any idea they might have about where the American Dream is at.

I thought the book was great and although some of the writing was done so in a way some might associate with pompous and cynical attitudes, I could not help but listen to their words. They were the canaries in the coal no one listened to, who warned people, judged cultures and ask for something different. I think the book is more of a "I told you so" shot by the editors, I think it is an example that people can see disaster but do nothing to stop it. I recommend this book for anyone who lost money through internet stock, anyone who searches for "real" indie rock bands, for anyone who interested in social issues or anyone simply looking for a good read.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it takes a sick person to laugh out loud, December 29, 2004

By 

J. Stout (Portsmouth, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Boob Jubilee: The Mad Cultural Politics of the New Economy: Salvos from the Baffler (Paperback)

When my husband and I recently moved cross-country, he protested me wanting to keep my old copies of The Baffler. "Come on," he cajoled, "You're never going to read those things again." I read to him aloud from this collection as we were driving to Atlanta last week, so I think my magazines are off the chopping block for awhile.

Boob Jubilee contains my all-time favorite Baffler article, "The Intern Economy and the Culture Trust." This is a must-read for all young people considering a career in the media.

4.0 out of 5 stars Other's have been better, May 12, 2007

By 

K. Ferguson - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boob Jubilee: The Mad Cultural Politics of the New Economy: Salvos from the Baffler (Paperback)

I preferred "Commodify Your Dissent" from these guys.

That said, if you haven't read the former then this book may be good for you (or distasteful depending on your politcal slant).

I'd recommend the read.