What Was The Hipster?: A Sociological Investigation [Paperback]

n+1 (Author), Mark Greif (Author), Christian Lorentzen (Author), Jace Clayton (Author), Reid Pillifant (Author), Rob Horning (Author), Jennifer Baumgardner (Author), Patrice Evans (Author), Margo Jefferson (Author), Rob Moor (Author), Christopher Glazek (Author), Dayna Tortorici (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0982597711 | ISBN-13: 978-0982597712

Who was the turn-of-the-century hipster? Who is free enough of the hipster taint to write its history without contempt or nostalgia? Why do we want to declare the neo-hipster moment over, when the hipster's "global brand" has just reached apotheosis?

A panel of writers invited the public to join an investigation into the rise and fall of the contemporary hipster. Their debate took place at the New School University in New York City.

In addition to the panel transcript, the book includes responses from critics Jennifer Baumgardner, Patrice Evans aka The Assimilated Negro, and Margo Jefferson, as well as essays on douchebags, Hasidism versus hipsters, the Hipster Feminine, and the sneaker shop Alife Rivington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: n+1 Foundation (October 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982597711
• ISBN-13: 978-0982597712
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

n+1 is a Brooklyn-based magazine of literature, culture, and politics published three times yearly. It was founded in 2004 by Keith Gessen (All the Sad Literary Young Men), Mark Greif, Chad Harbach (The Art of Fielding), Benjamin Kunkel (Indecision), and Marco Roth and immediately attracted attention in New York and beyond. A. O. Scott described it in the New York Times Magazine as part of "a generational struggle against laziness and cynicism"; German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung wrote, "they intend nothing less than to reimagine and reestablish the world."

Since its founding, n+1 has published Elif Batuman's remarkable first essays (later collected in The Possessed), Mark Greif's classic essays "Against Exercise," "On Radiohead," and "Afternoon of the Sex Children," excerpts from Helen DeWitt's latest novels (most recently Lightning Rods), and other memorable pieces. Each issue is about the length of a novel (200 pages), and features criticism, memoirs, fiction, reviews, and political essays. We also publish small books (most notably What Was the Hipster?) and at Amazon have made Kindle editions of all our publications and Kindle Singles of individual pieces available.

Our fall issue, "Conversion Experience," features a report from the Gathering of the Juggalos, an essay by Mark Greif on Stanley Cavell as a philosopher and teacher, an excerpt from Helen DeWitt's new novel, a history of the music website Pitchfork, and an essay on the politics and angst of gay marriage. We encourage you to take a look at let us know what you think. You can read more about us, browse web-only content, and find contact information at www.nplusonemag.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book April 26, 2012

By Eduardo Loureiro

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Nice book with a lot of good essays, but as a collection the diagramation and the organization could be better.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, insightful perspectives September 10, 2011

By CL

Format:Paperback

Hipsters blow my mind. I don't understand them, really. They're people, but they're a manifestation of something beyond themselves.

This book is not a definitive treatment of the hipster, which I think is appropriate. Every perspective seems valid, reasonable, and observable in real life. Before reading, I was more interested in what has led to the evolution of hipsterism, and this book addresses the economic and social issues that seem to point out the hole that hipsters fill in society. It's not just a book about hipsters -- it gives them context by describing facets of our society.

I'm going to read this book again.

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Guidance in December 25, 2012

By Xgxcvbdg

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Setbacks height huff d kg d handbags chucked did nd Khrushchev McHugh kids dish did nd Jens when McHugh had