The Idea of Culture (Blackwell Manifestos) [Paperback]

Terry Eagleton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631219668 | ISBN-13: 978-0631219668 | Publication Date: May 26, 2000 | Edition: 1

Terry Eagleton's book, in this vital new series from Blackwell, focuses on discriminating different meanings of culture, as a way of introducing to the general reader the contemporary debates around it.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It is a little disconcerting, after reading the elegant and precise first chapter of Eagleton's overview of political, social and cultural concepts of culture, to find him stating at the outset of the second one: "[I]t is hard to resist the conclusion that the word 'culture' is both too broad and too narrow to be greatly useful." But his evaluation proves accurate. Drawing upon a wide range of sources, theories and disciplines--from Raymond Williams's Marxist criticism to Ruskin's aesthetic theories, Richard Rorty's pragmatic political philosophy and Althusser's political commentary--Eagleton (Literary Theory; Myths of Power; etc.) surveys the far-ranging and often conflicting ways "culture" might be defined and used to interpret or interact with the material world. In the first two chapters, Eagleton delivers a clear but essentially academic pr?cis of a complicated concept. Yet in his later chapters--on the culture wars, the tension between nature and culture and the possibilities for creating a common culture--he breaks out of a purely descriptive mode and into a provocative, entertaining one, noting, for example, that Americans use the word "America" far more than Danes use the word "Denmark," commenting, "this is what happens when your view of other countries is for the most part through a camera lens or from a bomber." In this brief volume, Eagleton has produced both a thoughtful analysis of cultural theories as well as a shrewd, liberal dissection of current social and political trends. (Mar.) FYI: This is the first book in the Blackwell Manifestos series.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Eagleton's latest book promises to be an important addition to the field of cultural studies. A prominent literary critic and Marxist theorist, Eagleton writes in a style that is somewhat rambling but always colorful and lively. Placing the notion of culture in historical, philosophical, and political context, Eagleton describes the emergence of today's mass culture, with its perceived threat to traditional values. To illustrate the changing meaning of culture, he notes the views of such thinkers as Nietzsche, T.S. Eliot, and Matthew Arnold. He also quotes liberally from the works of his former teacher and mentor, Raymond Williams (Culture and Society, 1780-1950). The initial offering in Blackwell's new "Manifestos" series, this book is recommended for advanced undergraduate collections.
-Ellen Sullivan, Ferguson Lib., Stamford, CT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (May 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631219668
• ISBN-13: 978-0631219668
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1.0 out of 5 stars Blatant bigotry, January 13, 2012

By 

Mel - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Idea of Culture (Blackwell Manifestos) (Paperback)

I came across this book in a library. I've always been interested in culture and identity, however I am by no means an expert, so I was interested in reading up a bit more on these topics.

As I read through the book, one point became overwhelmingly clear--the author, Terry Eagleton--has a huge bone to pick with the United States. I live abroad in Europe, and so I am fairly used to the negative and comically narrow minded view people have of Americans, however I had yet to encounter it in something touted as academic material.

He attacks pretty much everything about American culture, grossly generalizing about American's treatment of everything from the body, religion, intellect, speech and even their sense of identity.

A few quotes: "If people of truly surreal fatness complacently patrol its streets, it is partly because they have no idea that this is not happening everywhere else. Americans use the word 'America' much more frequently than Danes use the word 'Denmark' or Malaysians use the word 'Malaysia'. No doubt this is what happens when your view of other countries is for the most part through a camera lens or from a bomber". (pg 91).

Really? What does the author base his assertation that "Americans use the word 'America' much more frequently" on? He doesn't cite any sources, just makes an unfounded claim which he uses to segue into his next gem that our view of other countries is for the most part "through a camera lens or from a bomber." That's right, Mr. Eagleton, no one in the US travels and everyone agrees with war! How simple!

Or how about, "A statement like 'He rejected my proposal, and even though I kept insisting he was adament in his refusal', becomes in some youthful American-English 'Like he was all "uh-uh" and I was like kinda "hey!" but he was like "no way" or whatever'". (pg 91).

Right, because most Americans lack the ability to form or articulate meaningful ideas.

I am by no means a champion of American society or culture, however I think Eagleton's opinions are completely shallow, petty and smack of tabloid-style sensationalisism pandering to people who love to hear that Americans are fat, stupid and God happy. The ideas about Americans seems based more on a study of Hollywood movies than on any real, unbiased and factual information researched on the part of the author.

I am truly saddened and disgusted by the content in this book.