Customer Reviews

The Idea of Culture (Blackwell Manifestos)

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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.