Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
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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.

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.

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.

This book appears to be a collection of someone's (or some committee's) favorite articles from The Baffler, a literary magazine whose main job seems to be poking jabs at our culture. The title certainly doesn't help in determining that as "Boob" itself is such a multi-use word nowadays. Furthermore, many Americans west of the Mississippi have never heard of the New Economy and could care less about about literary criticism.

I think the audience for this book is really limited and not consistent with the title or the book cover. However, once you get past the first couple of reallllly dry essays, there are some that are worthy of more attention.