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Review
"In this brief volume, Eagleton has produced both a thoughtful analysis of cultural theories as well as a shrewd, liberal dissection of current social and political trends."Publishers Weekly
"Eagleton′s latest book promises to be an important addition to the field of cultural studies." Library Journal
"A magnificent reassertion of timeless cultural values." The Observer
"A voice of sanity amid the roar of turbo–capitalism."Independent
"As always, Eagleton shows a provocative wealth of learning. He is able to see the many sides of a problem, to put it in context and suggest new ways of viewing it, a healthy corrective to the soundbite society."Times Higher Education Supplement
"Stimulating and very readable. The Idea of Culture is a book which challenges our attention."The Irish Times<!––end––>
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Terry Eagleton′s book, in this vital new series from Blackwell, focuses on discriminating different meanings of culture, as a way of introducing to the general reader the contemporary debates around it.
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"Culture' is said to be one of the two or three most complex words in the English language, and the term which is sometimes considered to be its opposite-nature-is commonly awarded the accolade of being the most complex of all. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
"Culture' is said to be one of the two or three most complex words in the English language, and the term which is sometimes considered to be its opposite-nature-is commonly awarded the accolade of being the most complex of all. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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9 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Eagleton's 'The Idea of Culture'can't be read over the cornflakes, but is worth perseverance and will make those who indulge in easy talk about 'culture' think again. Eagleton makes us realise that when we speak about Capital-C Culture we are talking about something different to commercially-organised 'mass culture' which is widely believed to be a threat to 'civilized values'. There is a difference between the culture of the National Gallery and that of football supporters. There are some limpid sayings: 'We are not so much splendid syntheses of nature and culture, materiality and meaning, as amphibious animals caught on the hop between angel and beast.' (p.98). We inhabit many different cultural worlds, and simplistic condemnation of contemporary life is no substitute for patient discernment of those commonplaces where, wehether we are believers or not, we encounter angels unawares. As Eagleton says, 'There was always something mildly risible about the idea that humanity might be saved by studying Shakespeare. To become a truly popular force, such elitist culture really needs to take the religious road. What the West ideally requires is some version of culture which would win the life-and-death allegiance of the people, and the traditional name for this allegiance is, precisely, religion.... Religion is not effective because it is otherworldly, but because it incarnates this otherworldliness in a practical form of life.' (p.69). This raises the interesting question of the relation of religious thought to 'culture'. Although for many this path is a necessary one, it also poses dangers; in the background are falling skyscrapers resulting from its fanatical limits.
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1 review
1 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Blatant bigotry
13 Jan 2012
Format:Paperback
I came across this book in a library. I've always been interested in culture and identity, however I am by no means an expert, so I was interested in reading up a bit more on these topics.
As I read through the book, one point became overwhelmingly clear--the author, Terry Eagleton--has a huge bone to pick with the United States. I live abroad in Europe, and so I am fairly used to the negative and comically narrow minded view people have of Americans, however I had yet to encounter it in something touted as academic material.
He attacks pretty much everything about American culture, grossly generalizing about American's treatment of everything from the body, religion, intellect, speech and even their sense of identity.
A few quotes: "If people of truly surreal fatness complacently patrol its streets, it is partly because they have no idea that this is not happening everywhere else. Americans use the word 'America' much more frequently than Danes use the word 'Denmark' or Malaysians use the word 'Malaysia'. No doubt this is what happens when your view of other countries is for the most part through a camera lens or from a bomber". (pg 91).
Really? What does the author base his assertation that "Americans use the word 'America' much more frequently" on? He doesn't cite any sources, just makes an unfounded claim which he uses to segue into his next gem that our view of other countries is for the most part "through a camera lens or from a bomber." That's right, Mr. Eagleton, no one in the US travels and everyone agrees with war! How simple!
Or how about, "A statement like 'He rejected my proposal, and even though I kept insisting he was adament in his refusal', becomes in some youthful American-English 'Like he was all "uh-uh" and I was like kinda "hey!" but he was like "no way" or whatever'". (pg 91).
Right, because most Americans lack the ability to form or articulate meaningful ideas.
I am by no means a champion of American society or culture, however I think Eagleton's opinions are completely shallow, petty and smack of tabloid-style sensationalisism pandering to people who love to hear that Americans are fat, stupid and God happy. The ideas about Americans seems based more on a study of Hollywood movies than on any real, unbiased and factual information researched on the part of the author.
I am truly saddened and disgusted by the content in this book.
As I read through the book, one point became overwhelmingly clear--the author, Terry Eagleton--has a huge bone to pick with the United States. I live abroad in Europe, and so I am fairly used to the negative and comically narrow minded view people have of Americans, however I had yet to encounter it in something touted as academic material.
He attacks pretty much everything about American culture, grossly generalizing about American's treatment of everything from the body, religion, intellect, speech and even their sense of identity.
A few quotes: "If people of truly surreal fatness complacently patrol its streets, it is partly because they have no idea that this is not happening everywhere else. Americans use the word 'America' much more frequently than Danes use the word 'Denmark' or Malaysians use the word 'Malaysia'. No doubt this is what happens when your view of other countries is for the most part through a camera lens or from a bomber". (pg 91).
Really? What does the author base his assertation that "Americans use the word 'America' much more frequently" on? He doesn't cite any sources, just makes an unfounded claim which he uses to segue into his next gem that our view of other countries is for the most part "through a camera lens or from a bomber." That's right, Mr. Eagleton, no one in the US travels and everyone agrees with war! How simple!
Or how about, "A statement like 'He rejected my proposal, and even though I kept insisting he was adament in his refusal', becomes in some youthful American-English 'Like he was all "uh-uh" and I was like kinda "hey!" but he was like "no way" or whatever'". (pg 91).
Right, because most Americans lack the ability to form or articulate meaningful ideas.
I am by no means a champion of American society or culture, however I think Eagleton's opinions are completely shallow, petty and smack of tabloid-style sensationalisism pandering to people who love to hear that Americans are fat, stupid and God happy. The ideas about Americans seems based more on a study of Hollywood movies than on any real, unbiased and factual information researched on the part of the author.
I am truly saddened and disgusted by the content in this book.
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