Post-traumatic Culture: Injury and Interpretation in the Nineties (Paperback)

by Kirby Farrell (Author) "AN AIRLINER HAS CRASHED..." (more)
Key Phrases: Saint George, Los Angeles, Vietnam War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"'Post-traumatic Culture' is a highly creative analysis of trauma, both real and imagined, as part of a cultural system. Its mix of literary analysis, provocative moments, and tantalizing speculation makes it truly a one of a kind book." --Elizabeth Loftus, President, American Psychological Society "Farrell treats a variety of sensational contemporary issues, like post-traumatic stress disorder and the public's panic over child abuse, as cultural tropes, exploring their literary and cinematic narrativizations for the ideological interests they serve. Of particular interest are the discussions about how English and American cultures 'manage' trauma, and how public fantasies model experiences of victimization. The chapter on the film 'Schindler's List' offers a brilliant reading which relates the slave labor economy of the Nazis and Schindler himself to the inhumane conditions of 'Depression-era capitalist cultures' in general, and to today's trend of corporate 'downsizing' with its all too real traumatic consequences."--Joel Black, University of Georgia "A rich and eloquent critical study which offers the violent and visionary aspects of late 19th-century literature and culture as a mirror for our own no less stressful times."--Patrick Parrinder, The University of Reading --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Post-traumatic Culture is a highly creative analysis of trauma, both real and imagined, as part of a cultural system. Its mix of literary analysis, provocative moments, and tantalizing speculation makes it truly a one of a kind book." -- Elizabeth Loftus, President, American Psychological Society

"Farrell treats a variety of sensational contemporary issues, like post-traumatic stress disorder and the public's panic over child abuse, as cultural tropes, exploring their literary and cinematic narrativizations for the ideological interests they serve. Of particular interest are the discussions about how English and American cultures 'manage' trauma, and how public fantasies model experiences of victimization. The chapter on the film Schindler's List offers a brilliant reading which relates the slave labor economy of the Nazis and Schindler himself to the inhumane conditions of 'Depression-era capitalist cultures' in general, and to today's trend of corporate 'downsizing' with its all too real traumatic consequences." -- Joel Black, University of Georgia

"A rich and eloquent critical study which offers the violent and visionary aspects of late 19th-century literature and culture as a mirror for our own no less stressful times." -- Patrick Parrinder, The University of Reading

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 440 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; First Paperback Edition edition (August 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801857872
• ISBN-13: 978-0801857874
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,191,419 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Post-Traumatic Readers Unite, December 12, 2001

By	Tim (Pittsfield, MA) - See all my reviews

Kirby Farrell narrates this book like a pop-culture icon, yet he remains objective enough to sustain credibility. Heavily influenced by the works of Ernest Becker, Farrell compares seemingly uncomaprable films and novels through a filter of humanities' fears of death and desires for immortality. Farrell makes several strong arguments, yet gets caught up in a bit too many tangents for the general going public. This book is for a scholar. I know this sounds elitest, but this novel is for those who are well read, well versed, and comfortable dealing with topics that will make them feel uncomfortable because of their validity. Farrell has succeeded in created a fine piece of work worthy of coffee tables around the world...that is if you take your coffee black.