Popular Culture Books - Page 17

Secret Diary of a Call Girl

Belle de Jour, Anonymous

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Enlightening and Unique 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

First off, I'd like to offset other reviewers' claims that this book misleadingly refers to prostitution as a safe and thrilling lifestyle. I think its important to say that this is a unique portrayal of ONE woman's life in sex work. She very clearly states that there are many levels of sex work and the vast majority are not safe, enjoyable, or beneficial in anyway. She obviously enjoys much of her work and simply because her experience does not fit the mold, does not mean she should be silenced.

Secondly, there are sex scenes in the book and they are to some degree explicit. Is this too much? Well considering the nature of the book, I think not. Considering the importance of the job to the book, so much so that it is in the very title and also the importance of her pseudonym, I think its quite understandable that sex should be a key element in the book. Isn't that part of the experience we are so intrigued by when it comes to this particular author?

Also, as one reviewer mentioned the previous relationship and friend-circle is not full of an extraordinary amount of depth. What we need to remember is that this is adapted from the author's blog. For some bloggers, myself included, other people's lives are their own to tell. We just tell what relates to us. I felt that Belle's interaction with her friends and ex-lovers were covered meaningfully and naturally.

This is a diary and by definition it's not the type of writing that will be layered with back story or references. Although meant to be read in the fashion that most blogs are nowadays, it is written with immediacy and often with the intent to be brief. Perhaps some years down the line the author will be interested in adapting it as an autobiography and then she'll decide to add relevant information, a new perspective now that she is removed from it by time, etc., but the very title acknowledges what the book is: a diary.

When it comes to getting what you paid for and what was advertised, you get it in this book.

Beyond that, my own observation is that the author is intelligent, witty, and has a unique and sometimes detached view of sex which is enlightening thing to see in a female writer.

I enjoyed the book. It's not a literary masterpiece, but it is much better than a good amount of popular new fiction.

Editorial Review:

This internationally celebrated memoir is now a new Showtime original series.


Belle couldn't find a job after University. Her impressive degree was not paying her rent or buying her food. But after a fantastic threesome with a very rich couple who gave her a ton of money, Belle realized that she could earn more than anyone she knew--by becoming a call girl. The rest is history. Belle became a 20-something London working girl--and had the audacity to write about it--anonymously. The shockingly candid and explicit diary she put on the Internet became a London sensation. She shares her entire journey inside the world of high-priced escorts, including fascinating and explicit insights about her job and her clients, her various boyfriends, and a taboo lifestyle that has to be read to be believed. The witty observations, shocking revelations, and hilarious scenarios deliver like the very best fiction and make for a titillating reading experience unlike any other.

Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way (Popular Culture and Philosophy)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

"Superman and Batman are the Plato and Aristotle of the comic-book world." 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

"Superman and Batman are the Plato and Aristotle of the comic-book world." (262).

If you agree with this, if you understand it, and if you find it both funny and accurate, then get this book.

*

I'm a fan of the "Philosophy And" series. Philosophy lurks everywhere, if we have our eyes open. Additionally, Neil Postman in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business makes the case that television is a form of epistemology. The same holds true for comic books. Since epistemology is a branch of philosophy, and comic books are a means of epistemology, then they demand our attention.

The book is a fun romp, with serendipitous discoveries. If you are a fan of such things, they buy this book.

However, I would rate most of the essays about a B+, or an A-. They are interesting, but many times the authors fall into a methodological trap. Philosophy can be defined two ways. One is the study of what people have said about things. The other is the love of wisdom. Too often the authors seem to take ideas and quotes to bolster their points. And they are very good at compare and contrast. But for wisdom, especially the love of wisdom, this is lacking.

Chapter 17 on the identify question which uses the Hulk/Banner as a case study, ignores multiple personality disorders. For a good discussion of time travel, read Chapter 18 by Richard Hanley.

Part of the problem has to do with the structure. They should have begun with metaphysics. Chapter 1 should be an overview along with 11 on comic book wisdom. Chapter 2 should be chapter 1, and the followed by all of Part 4. Part 3 on moral duty should come next, followed by the existential discussions in part 2. Lastly, focus on the image of a hero and secret identities.

On thing that surprised me is that so much morality traces itself back to the so-called God Hypothesis. Read "God, the Devil, and Matt Murdock," then chapters 12-16. The question raised (taking the lead from Socrates and Gyges's Ring), that if a powerful person can get away with evil, why not? Or from Republic Book 2 (Great Dialogues of Plato (Signet Classics), 158ff), compare an evil person who masks his evil with a good person who is labeled as evil, and they die that way. Why be good, if such a thing could conceivably happen. Although they do not mention him, this is the life of Job (Consider My Servant Job).

The conclusion of the various authors is that yes, you can get away it. And we find that disturbing. The only way to account for that is either Natural Law, or Divine Justice. Barring that, we should not be good. Which is absurd.

*

The prophet Job asked, "But where shall wisdom be found?" (Job 28:12). Apparently, one place is in comic books.

Editorial Review:

The comic book superheroes — Superman, Batman, the Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four, X-Men, and many others — have proved to be a powerful and enduring thread in popular culture, a rich source of ideas for moviemakers, novelists, and philosophers. Superheroes and Philosophy brings together 16 leading philosophers and some of the most creative people in the world of comics, from storywriters to editors to critics, to examine the deeper issues that resonate from the hyperbolic narratives and superhuman actions of this heroic world. The comic book narratives of superheroes wrestle with profound and disturbing issues in original ways: the definitions of good and evil, the limits of violence as an efficacious means, the perils of enforcing justice outside the law, the metaphysics of personal identity, and the definition of humanity. The book also features original artwork specially commissioned from some of the most popular of today's comic book artists.

Star Wars and Philosophy (Popular Culture and Philosophy)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Philosophy from the Jedi Masters 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Certainly Abrams and the contributing writers are strong in the force. I enjoyed this book. While it may not be very deep for the seasoned philosopher, the book serves as a great intro to philosophy in a unique way. The material is clearly well researched, both from the movie and from the philosophies covered, but written in a way that beginners like myself can understand.
A great choice for both Star Wars fans and the padawan philosopher!

Editorial Review:

The Star Wars films continue to revolutionize science fiction, creating new standards for cinematographic excellence, and permeating popular culture around the world. The films feature many complex themes ranging from good versus evil and moral development and corruption to religious faith and pragmatism, forgiveness and redemption, and many others.

The essays in this volume tackle the philosophical questions from these blockbuster films including: Was Anakin predestined to fall to the Dark Side? Are the Jedi truly role models of moral virtue? Why would the citizens and protectors of a democratic Republic allow it to descend into a tyrannical empire? Is Yoda a peaceful Zen master or a great warrior, or both? Why is there both a light and a dark side of the Force? Star Wars and Philosophy ponders the depths of these subjects and asks what it truly means to be mindful of the "living force."

Hydroponic Basics

George F. Van Patten

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Basics 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

This book is very condensed. It is a small book with short concise paragraphs but is very informative. While the information it contains is very broad, it doesn't go into much depth. It even has some basic information on plant anatomy and some functions. The pictures and diagrams are very good and relate to the paragraphs with corresponding numbers which are easy to follow, just don't confuse the numbers for steps in a procedure. Overall I believe this is a great book for someone who is thinking of beginning hydroponics but I don't think it will be your one source if you're wanting to take hydroponics serious. I give it 5 stars because it lives upto its title "Hydroponic Basics" with basic being very true.

Editorial Review:

This simple, little book is packed with information on hydroponic gardening. The graphic color, layout, and design helps guide a hydroponic gardener through basic plant science and environment to purchasing a garden and appropriate supplies. Plans for making your own hydroponic garden, nutrient deficiencies, plant problems, and growing a garden, beginning to end, are all included in this invaluable guide.

The Hollywood Book of Death: The Bizarre, Often Sordid, Passings of More than 125 American Movie and TV Idols

James Parish

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

How did they really die 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.

The title of the book says it all. The book details the deaths and often the lives of some of Hollywoods favorite players. It is broken up into sections depending on the type of death. Some of the catagories and people in them are:
1. Mysterious:
a. Natalie Wood
b.Sal Mineo
c. Bruce and Brandon Lee
and many more

2.in obserity-these people had not been in the limelight in a while
a. Lucille Ball
b. Joan Crawford
c. Mary Pickford
as well as many more

3. suicide
a. Freddy Prinz
b. Lupe Velez
as well as others

4. Drugs/alcohol
a. Judy Garland
b. Chris Farley
c. John Barrymore
and many more

This book is full of interesting tidpits that any person who loves old Hollywood will definitly injoy

Editorial Review:

The death of a celebrity is often as fascinating as--and sometimes more fascinating than--a star's actual life. From the grisly end of Sharon Tate at the hands of the Manson family and the mysterious demise of Bob Crane to the peaceful passings of Lucille Ball and George Burns, The Hollywood Book of Death is a captivating and appealingly packaged volume of more than 125 television and movie stars' final curtain calls.

Arranged in an encyclopedic approach by manner of death, these well-researched accounts include details of celebrities' colorful lives and unusual deaths, their funerals, and the intriguing aftermath. With more than 100 rare photographs and a special "necrology" index of more than 6,000 stars and directors, along with a section revealing where Hollywood personalities are resting in eternal sleep, this enthralling reference promises to be on every film and television buff's "Top 10" gift list.

Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD: The CIA, the Sixties, and Beyond

Martin A. Lee, Bruce Shlain

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 37 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Acid Dreams is the complete social history of LSD and the counterculture it helped to define in the sixties. Martin Lee and Bruce Shlain's exhaustively researched and astonishing account-part of it gleaned from secret government files-tells how the CIA became obsessed with LSD as an espionage weapon during the early l950s and launched a massive covert research program, in which countless unwitting citizens were used as guinea pigs. Though the CIA was intent on keeping the drug to itself, it ultimately couldn't prevent it from spreading into the popular culture; here LSD had a profound impact and helped spawn a political and social upheaval that changed the face of America. From the clandestine operations of the government to the escapades of Timothy Leary, Abbie Hoffman, Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, Allen Ginsberg, and many others, Acid Dreams provides an important and entertaining account that goes to the heart of a turbulent period in our history. "Engaging throughout . . . at once entertaining and disturbing." - Andrew Weil, M.D., The Nation; "Marvelously detailed . . . loaded with startling revelations." - Los Angeles Daily News; "An engrossing account of a period . . . when a tiny psychoactive molecule affected almost every aspect of Western life." - William S. Burroughs; "An important historical synthesis of the spread and effects of a drug that served as a central metaphor for an era." - John Sayles.

Black Coffee Blues (Rollins, Henry)

Henry Rollins

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

sad,strong and totally true 5 out of 5 stars.
16 of 17 people found this review helpful.

i was first introduced to the work of henry rollins at the age of 18.today i am 27 and rollins never ceases to amaze me.he simply tells it like it is.if you get into the whole henry rollins way of thinking,you can easily find yourself in some of the stories he tells.you might have been the guy rejected by a girl.you were the guy too afraid to do anything about his education,his parents,his life.suddenly i found that i was not the only person in the world,burning for hours and hours in my room,my brain on fire.rollins was there too.I WAS NOT ALONE.
rollins doesnt waste time contemplating his own poor sad condition.he does the opposite-he tells you to get up and do something about it."he would someday grow into a strong,rage driven monster that rose like an iron sun".his essays at the end - "monster" and "i know you" were my best friends at VERY hard times.this book,along with "solipsist" made me change my whole attitude towards life.they inspired me to take my life into my own hands.BECAUSE of these books i got the inspiretion to get my degree,work out and live a happy,self aware life.if you dont know who you are,if you ever felt rejection,pain,fear,loathing- read what henry has to say about it - and adopt a whole new attitude towards your life.its worth it!

Editorial Review:

If I lose the light of the sun, I will write by candlelight, moonlight, no light, If I lose paper and ink, I will write in blood on forgotten walls. I will write always. I will capture nights all over the world and bring them to you.' Henry Rollins, renowned spoken-word performer, musician, actor and author of several books, has a unique, hard-edged view of the world. This collection of writings from 1989 - 1991 is the classic Rollins book. From dramatic fiction shorts detailing stark, disturbing realities to gut-wrenching tour journals destroying all misconceptions of the glamour of fame and the music industry; from the challenging poetry to revealing dream sequences, Rollins' writing is unflinching in its honesty, uncompromising in its truth and irresistibly addictive.

Seinology: The Sociology of Seinfeld

Tim Delaney

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

No one was better at turning everyday social interactions into memorable comedy sketches than Seinfeld creators Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. The show, still very current in syndication, is filled with astute social observations delivered with great comic effect.

Sociologist, and avid Seinfeld fan, Tim Delaney explores the sociological implications of the famous comedy show in Seinology. Part sociology primer and part Seinfeld tribute, Delaney’s book uses excerpts from many of the now-classic episodes to illustrate key facets of sociology. Along the way, readers are treated to an entertaining and educational tour of the whole Seinfeld series. In fifteen chapters, amusingly titled after some of the shows famous incidents, Delaney reviews the major contributions of sociology. Examples include: · "Tub is love." (socialization and personal relationships) · "Not that there is anything wrong with that." (sex and gender issues) · "You double-dipped the chip!" (social deviance) · "Happy Festivus: a festival for the rest of us." (religion) · "Look to the cookie, Elaine." (race and ethnicity) · "You don’t have to help anybody. That’s what this country’s all about." (crime and social control) · "Yada, yada, yada." (and much, much more)

For sociologists looking for a unique way to introduce their students to the field, for high school students or undergraduates taking their first sociology course, and for every Seinfeld fan, Seinology is both educational and a fun read.

All That Is Solid Melts into Air: The Experience of Modernity

Marshall Berman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

One of the best I've read 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

I read this book a long time ago in college for a lit crit class. While admittedly I don't recall much detail of it, I do remember that it was one of few books I read in that class and many other lit crit classes that was lucid, cogent and clear in its argument and analysis. As a testament to its merit, it has remained on my bookshelf after all the others have been sold off to used bookstores. Moreover, it gave me one of the key insights about modernity that have remained with me to this day, and which has been useful in understanding why certain anti-modern societies resist modernization and why our contemporary society is so schizophrenic. That insight is that no tradition, which inherently protects realms of privilege, can be maintained in the face of the onslaught of the profit-driven motive underlying capitalism, which will always seek out new markets to exploit, such as the unexploited market as protected by tradition.

Classic, enjoyable read on modernity 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I first bought this book on a whim during my political science college days, but found great enjoyment and lasting insights. It's been a regular re-read on my shelf for the last 15 years. Most of all, the book unveils the themes of innovation, turmoil and renewal that are the hallmark of the last few hundred years. I came to realize, reading Berman's reviews of Marx', Goethe's and others writing that we have become so embedded in constantly changing times that we have accepted all its characteristics without question. I now think much more carefully about what precepts of being 'busy', acquiring luxury items, altering my personality for business/social situations, etc are worthwhile. ...OK, this sounds too deep for many but the book is written with inspiration, is enjoyable and gives people something important to think about.

Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.

Roland Kelts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I read this book after a Village Voice critic called it "a Wired Magazine article on steroids," and Ain't It Cool News said that it was "an imperative resource." Then Bookforum called it "an amazing ride," and The Boston Globe raved.
Then: Even Pete Townshend of The Who endorsed it!
I am skeptical of books trying to capitalize on trends, and very skeptical of books on Japan. But the chorus of praise from so many different voices was enough for me.
This book is written in lucid, carefully crafted prose--telling you everything you need to know about transcultural entertainment and the psychological and spiritual traumas embedded in pop culture, and also precisely what makes Japan so sexy to Westerners in the 21st Century. It is also hip and smart, and very accessible. I only wished it were longer.
The author is no geek, but a writer of considerable talent and range. Get Japanamericaa now.

Editorial Review:

Japanamerica is the first book that directly addresses the American experience with the Japanese pop culture craze--including anime from Hayao Miyazaki's epics to the burgeoning world of hentai, or violent pornographic anime to Haruki Murakami's fiction. Including interviews with the inventor of Pac-man and executives from TokyoPop, GDH, and other major Japanese and American production companies, this book highlights the shared conflicts both countries face as anime and manga become a global form of entertainment and change both the United States and Japan in the process.