The image: A guide to pseudo-events in America [Paperback]

Daniel J Boorstin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1987

First published in 1962, Boorstin's prophetic vision of an America inundated by its own illusions has become an essential resource for those who want to distinguish the manifold deceptions of our culture from its few enduring truths. 7 cassettes.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 25th anniversary ed edition (1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689702809
• ISBN-13: 978-0689702808
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Mixed Bag: Some Insight/ Some Grandstanding, July 8, 2004

By 

Dr. W. G. Covington, Jr. (Edinboro, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The image: A guide to pseudo-events in America (Paperback)

Boorstin's tone is that of crotchety old curmudgeon who sees the evil in any technological developments. Ironically, I agree with some of his criticisms, it's the spirit in which they're made that seems to paint him as an extremist. I label this book as a mixed bag because he has some valid points to make about how mediated, popular culture compares with what earlier Americans experienced in their day. If I had to pinpoint my concern, it's that he seems to have had a premise going into the project and edited his data to confirm his prejudices.

To me he hits the target in discussing the clut of celebrity. He compares celebrities in the media age with authentic heroes of past generations. Celebrities are not known for their contributions, but simply for being well known. Since the time this book was written, the problem has grown much worse. I say problem because there are ramifications when such people are chosen as role models. Boorstin's thoughts on this issue are worth considering.