Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life [Paperback]

William D. Romanowski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1996

The debates over entertainment are especially volatile because they include not only controversial subjects such as sex and violence, but religion as well. In this, his latest book, Romanowski brings something desperately needed to the discussion--an informed, systematic and challenging Christian perspective.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A historical study ranging over the breadth of U.S. culture but focusing primarily on Hollywood cinema, this book aims to describe how the "cosmic spiritual battle between good and evil" relates to "cultural hierarchies," that is, to the gradation of high and low culture. An examination of the dynamic relations of Christian "reform groups" and cultural elites to the commercial entertainment industries are shown to expose the hypocritical attitudes of the former as regards the latter. Romanowski (communication arts, Calvin Coll., Grand Rapids) has researched broadly across cultural history, bringing in examples of similar dynamics from other centuries as well as scholarly conclusions regarding every conceivable type of popular American culture. All bolster the main argument that the popular arts are hindered in their development by a lack of attention and analysis in our educational system. As a synthesis of academic work on popular culture, however, this work fails to integrate the range of contemporary critical and cultural theories and therefore lacks perspective on its own reformist goal of influencing the values of popular culture. Nonetheless, this work may find an audience at Christian colleges.?Jane E. Sloan, Rutgers Univ. Libs., New Brunswick, N.J.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830819886
• ISBN-13: 978-0830819881
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,000,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William D. Romanowski earned his Ph.D. in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. He is currently on the faculty of Calvin College where he teaches courses in film studies with a particular focus on the history and influence of American film. Romanowski is a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship and Faculty Research Award (2009-2010), a member of the editorial board of Popular Music and Society, and author of various publications investigating the relation of American Christianity, popular art and culture.

http://www.calvin.edu/~romw/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and well-reasoned, August 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life (Paperback)

This book was not what I was expecting. I was expecting a polemic against the entertainment industry. Instead, it is a thoughtful book that traces the history of the "Pop Culture Wars" from the beginning of the 20th century until the 1990s. The author covers issues such as the Hays Office and its impact on moviemaking in the 1930s and 1940s. He argues for intelligent entertainment and intelligent consumption of entertainment. I recommend it, although it is not always quick or easy reading.