Mad Men and Philosophy: Nothing Is as It Seems (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series) [Paperback]

Rod Carveth (Editor), James B. South (Editor), William Irwin (Series Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A look at the philosophical underpinnings of the hit TV show, Mad Men

With its swirling cigarette smoke, martini lunches, skinny ties, and tight pencil skirts, Mad Men is unquestionably one of the most stylish, sexy, and irresistible shows on television. But the series becomes even more absorbing once you dig deeper into its portrayal of the changing social and political mores of 1960s America and explore the philosophical complexities of its key characters and themes. From Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to John Kenneth Galbraith, Milton Friedman, and Ayn Rand, Mad Men and Philosophy brings the thinking of some of history's most powerful minds to bear on the world of Don Draper and the Sterling Cooper ad agency. You'll gain insights into a host of compelling Mad Men questions and issues, including happiness, freedom, authenticity, feminism, Don Draper's identity, and more.

• Takes an unprecedented look at the philosophical issues and themes behind AMC's Emmy Award-winning show, Mad Men
• Explores issues ranging from identity to authenticity to feminism, and more
• Offers new insights on your favorite Mad Men characters, themes, and storylines

Mad Men and Philosophy will give Mad Men fans everywhere something new to talk about around the water cooler.

From the Back Cover

Is Don Draper a good man?

What do Peggy, Betty, and Joan teach us about gender equality?

What are the ethics of advertising—or is that a contradiction in terms?

Is Roger Sterling an existential hero?

We're better people than we were in the sixties, right?

With its swirling cigarette smoke, martini lunches, skinny ties, and tight pencil skirts, Mad Men is unquestionably one of the most stylish, sexy, and irresistible shows on television. But the series becomes even more absorbing once you dig deeper into its portrayal of the changing social and political mores of 1960s America and explore the philosophical complexities of its key characters and themes. From Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to John Kenneth Galbraith, Milton Friedman, and Ayn Rand, Mad Men and Philosophy brings the thinking of some of history's most powerful minds to bear on the world of Don Draper and the Sterling Cooper ad agency. You'll gain insights into a host of compelling Mad Men questions and issues, including happiness, freedom, authenticity, feminism, Don Draper's identity, and more—and have lots to talk about the next time you find yourself around the water cooler.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470603011
• ISBN-13: 978-0470603017
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #21,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #10 in	Books > Entertainment > Television > History & Criticism
  #89 in	Books > Entertainment > Pop Culture > Popular Culture
  #17 in	Books > Entertainment > Television > Shows

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Trip Down Memory Lane, August 10, 2010

By	Pining for Philosophy - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mad Men and Philosophy: Nothing Is as It Seems (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series) (Paperback)

My 20-something daughter suggested I watch "Mad Men" on [...]: Like a 13-hour movie, she said. So well done. Originally, she thought I would love the depth, excellent production values and of course, the fashion. It was so much more. You see, I majored in Philosophy at a major State university from 1968 - 1972 and went on from there to law school and a wonderful career that spanned poverty and technology law from the late 70s to early 90s. This book is a marvelous survey of the existentialist presentation that permeates "Mad Men". I'm only halfway through (reading on the Kindle; absolute pleasure), and savoring every chapter. Memories of Heidegger, Camus, Sartre, Nietzsche, de Beauvoir, and company flourish through this book. If you didn't major in philosophy, it will all come alive for you in the context of this excellent TV series. And a secret be told, we've never had a TV --- I watch subscribing to iTunes and then purchasing the DVDs for the fascinating commentaries. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Way We Were, September 5, 2010

By	Douglas K. Pinner (Indiana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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This review is from: Mad Men and Philosophy: Nothing Is as It Seems (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series) (Paperback)

Like another reviewer I was introduced to Madmen by my daughter and immediately became hooked.I don't normally watch series with the exception of the Sopranos in which I see the same exceptional qualities of outstanding ensemble casting and realistic portrayal of quotidian life in the milieu of larger societal cultural issues.Hence,I got the book and was not disappointed.Written as a series of articles dealing with both the philosophical and social aspects of the age ,this is one fun read. The philosophical backdrop ranges from classical Greek to the existentialists with due note to Kant,Nietzche, and others,all arranged around major themes of knowledge and freedom,meaning,ethics and happiness,and social dynamics.Larger philosophic issues devolve intriguingly around the characters such as "The Existential Void of Roger Sterling","Is Don Draper a Good Man".The latter is indicative of the general tone of evenhanded non judgemental analysis and one I found particularly thoughtful.While written primarily from an Aristotelian and Platonic framework,his conclusion ,to me ,was refreshingly existential and in an eastern context,very Taoistic.On a personal note,as a newly minted M.B.A. ,I entered the business world on the shank end of this era and readily relate and identify.While on the one hand distant,change a few details and major cultural shifts and you have the offices and characters of latter day NY big bizz,be it adguys(or gals now) or Wall Street. So...Is this a "better" time ,are we "happier"? Hmmm...Before rushing to judgement I propose an interesting 'thought experiment". Produce a current version of Madmen and televise it to the characters on the show back in the 60's.What would a "Madmen and Philosophy" of 2010 read like in a similar analysis in the 60's?.. Perhaps the conclusion would similarly mirror that of "Is Don Draper a Good Man or a Bad Man". ....OR....A Taoistic "It just is". In conclusion,what a fun and interesting read.If nothing else ,it assuages any guilt in sitting around watching TV and elevating it to cultural,societal,philosophic commentary :>)

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but not great either.., September 7, 2010

By	Denise E. Deems "broadway fan" (York, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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This review is from: Mad Men and Philosophy: Nothing Is as It Seems (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series) (Paperback)

I discovered Mad Men after picking up season 1 and 2 through one of Amazon's sales, and finished watching them just in time to speed through season 3 and catch Mad Men season 4 on tv. I picked up this book thinking it would give insight into the period and backstory of mad men. In it's defense, it does point out a bit about the comparison between real life and the tv show. BUT, by in large, it's a step by step analysis of season 1 and 2 character actions in reference to philosophical themes. To me, it feels a lot like a philosophy textbook with Mad Men examples instead of examples of random people. For example, one section goes into - if Betty thinks Dick is Don, she doesn't KNOW it, she only BELIEVES it.

I don't want to make this sound like a bad book. It's quite good as a method of learning or re-examining philosophy. Having had both psych and sociology in college, I would have rather seen a more in-depth discussion of the characters that examines why they do what they do, instead of just lessons with a little mad men backstory. This book reminds me a little of when the professors would ask "what was the writer thinking here". But it's not really answering that question either.