Culture Wars: Documents from the Recent Controversies in the Arts [Paperback]

Richard Bolton (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1992

The ongoing efforts of government officials and self-appointed guardians of public morality to control the content of art and public speech have exposed deep divisions in America's beliefs about artistic value and freedom of expression. Richard Bolton's Culture Wars is the first book to document these turbulent and disturbing debates in detail, in the words of the artists, legislators, lobbyists, and critics themselves.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Culture Wars. . . offers a fair and exhaustive look at both sides of the issue. . . you will certainly learn the details of the issues and be prepared to carry on, no matter which side you take. -- St. Petersburg Times

Highly recommended. -- Library Journal

Instructive. . . fascinating. . . Culture Wars compiles essential documents from the NEA battle, including congressional testimony, op-ed columns, scholarly articles, and even a letter from Jesse Helms to Jerry Falwell. -- Seattle Weekly

[Culture Wars] is outstanding, not only for its insightful introduction and selections, but for its refusal to let any of us off the hook. -- ARTforum

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: New Press, The; 1st edition (June 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565840119
• ISBN-13: 978-1565840119
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #996,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting look at the controversial aspects of art, December 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Culture Wars: Documents from the Recent Controversies in the Arts (Paperback)

This is possibly the most interesting and informative book I've come across that discusses the controversies surrounding the funding provided by the NEA for such artists as Mapplethorpe or Serrano. It gives equal information supporting both sides of the debate. I came across this book while writing a term paper on censorship and the arts, and have now added it to my personal bookshelf. If you're interested at all in the arts, this book will be great for you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive work, November 28, 2000

By 

D. McAllister "D Mac" (Lake Oswego, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Culture Wars: Documents from the Recent Controversies in the Arts (Paperback)

This book is indespensable for anyone trying to understand both sides of the NEA controversy in 1989-1990. The champions of each side are represented, and given almost equal coverage in the book. These arguments are still being waged, and each side hasn't veered from their earlier positions in this book. As the controversy in the Brooklyn Musuem illustrates, this is a relevant topic today.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive book, October 16, 2000

By 

D. McAllister "D Mac" (Lake Oswego, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Culture Wars: Documents from the Recent Controversies in the Arts (Paperback)

The person who wrote the above view obviously was either 10 years old or at that reading comprehension level. Perhaps they were expecting something different. It you want a comprehensive, thorough discussion of the events that occured, this is the book for you. Containing congressional letters, reviews, magazine articles, editorials, etc, this volume will lead you to further evaluate and perhaps change your own position on the controversy. A must read for anyone who truly wishes to understand the politics of art and NEA funding.