See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

Ready to Buy?
maherbooks
Price: £17.55
In stock
the_book_de...
Price: £17.56
In stock
aphrohead_b...
Price: £18.33
In stock
22 used & new from £16.46
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Generation Ecstacy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture
 
 
Share your own customer images
Search inside this book

Generation Ecstacy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture (Paperback)

by Simon Reynolds (Author) "To promote Kraftwerk's 1991 remixed "greatest hits" compilation The Mix, the group's American label, Elektra, came up with an amusing ad: a simulation of the..." (more)
3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


14 new from £17.48 8 used from £16.46
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover Order it used

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture

Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture

by Simon Reynolds
4.5 out of 5 stars (11) 
Altered States: Story of Ecstasy Culture and Acid House

Altered States: Story of Ecstasy Culture and Acid House

by Matthew Collin
3.7 out of 5 stars (7) 
Rave Culture: An Insider's Overview

Rave Culture: An Insider's Overview

by Jimi Fritz
4.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £11.40
Raving Lunacy: Clubbed to Death - Adventures on the Rave Scene

Raving Lunacy: Clubbed to Death - Adventures on the Rave Scene

by Dave Courtney
4.5 out of 5 stars (12)  £5.49
Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: 100 Years of the Disc Jockey

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: 100 Years of the Disc Jockey

by Frank Broughton
4.6 out of 5 stars (17)  £6.99
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 504 pages
  • Publisher: Routledge (1 Aug 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0415923735
  • ISBN-13: 978-0415923736
  • Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15.2 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 351,615 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #24 in  Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Styles > Dance, Rap & Reggae > Techno & Dance
    #44 in  Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Instruments > Electronic Instruments

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Review
"Worthy. As a straightforward timeline account of rave culture-the DJs, the drugs, the choons, the clubs, the clobber-"Generation Ecstasy succeeds. Tracing the music. Reynolds shows that he certainly knows his stuff.."
-"Now, Toronto
"For anyone who has been to a rave or bought a techno CD, this book is an excellent complement. Reynolds does a great job throughout, even making this book readable for those who know littel or nothing about techno and rave culture."
-"Dead Trees Review
"Invaluable."
-"Toronto Star
"The single best book about rave culture."
-"The Roverfront Times
"A classic chronicle of the Nineties rave movement."
-James Hunter, "Rolling Stone
Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
To promote Kraftwerk's 1991 remixed "greatest hits" compilation The Mix, the group's American label, Elektra, came up with an amusing ad: a simulation of the famous one-and-only photo of blues pioneer Robert Johnson, but with his suit filled by a robot's body. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture
34% buy
Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture 4.5 out of 5 stars (11)
Generation Ecstacy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture
29% buy the item featured on this page:
Generation Ecstacy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture 3.8 out of 5 stars (9)
Superstar DJs Here We Go!: The Rise and Fall of the Superstar DJ
13% buy
Superstar DJs Here We Go!: The Rise and Fall of the Superstar DJ 4.6 out of 5 stars (7)
£9.09
E, The Incredibly Strange History of Ecstasy
12% buy
E, The Incredibly Strange History of Ecstasy 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)
£6.99
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

9 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The finest book yet about ecstacy and the rave culture, 20 May 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture (Hardcover)
Simon Reynolds writes as an enthusiast, not a critic. This is, nevertheless, the most intelligent, vivid, comprehensive book I have ever read about the ecstacy culture. I'm a fan of Reynolds' writing - I've actually read all of his works - all highly recommended. What is so special about this book is that it covers the music, the drug and the evolution of the culture with incredible energy and intimacy. I devoured the book. He is also a great writer - he writes sentences that are dense with meaning and really insightful turns of phrase - and every word demands to be read. I have recommended this book to several people and they have all enjoyed it thoroughly. Rather than saying something polite I'll just say "Big Up, geezer. Massive respect! Top stuff!!!!"

If you're interested in rave culture, if the music makes you jump - don't miss this one. It's seriously brilliant!!

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Knowledge/fandom limits ability for critical dialogue, 1 Aug 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture (Hardcover)
Having just worked my way through the UK publication of this book, alternitavely titled "Energy Flash", I must say that I have been given a decent working history of movement that has become a dominant part of youth culture over the last ten years. But as the author remains a fan (one might even say preacher for) of one particular sub genre of these varied strains of music, his analysis and interpretation often fails to deliver the goods. If Mr. Reynolds were not desperately searching for a modern day incarnation of the late 60's hippy attempt to redefine society through a common musical affinity, he might be willing to accept genres such as ambient, prog. House and the like as valid artistic fields. But since all music must satisfy his need for underground consciousness raising revolt(in this case through a culture that drops out of the mainstream completely a la expressionists of the nineteen twenties)he finds it difficult to accept a music that is merely intended to entice and provide pleasure or rediefne the way we think of musicality. The resulting rejections and arrogant denials of alternatives to the dance till you lose yourself 'ardkore ultimately remain self indulgent and tainted by his wishful myth formation. The further inability to critically question the prescribed goals of this 'ardkore also leaves a strong desire for more discussion. However this is where the text is also the most intriguing. Reynolds with his solid knowledge of the genre manages to pique interest and in my case have led to a renewed desire to search out a truly intelligent discourse on the movement and its consequences. On a final note the obsessive UK-centric approach to the music also wears thin, denying foreign countries their due until they begin to affect the UK scene.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Fine stab at overview, 9 Mar 2002
This review is from: Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture (Hardcover)
I disagree with the second reviewer, although I appreciate what they mean. The topic itself is not necessarily anti-academic surely although it does benefit from the perspective of a fan, which is probably the best way to treat this subject (namechecking Baudrillard hardly helps; i might argue Baurdrillard is not "intellectual" compared to the rigour of CS Peirce?). I don't know if Reynolds does want to create a definite ideology here, or is just riffing out some messy ideas inchoate. London airwaves are, to my mind, more vital crucibles for 'dance music' than American airwaves. I hope the fact the second reviewer is from Colorado did not influence their distaste for the "UK centric" narrative.
As Richie Hawtin has observed, Europe has a more intimate relationship with techno and other 'dance' forms...
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Overly dramatic, but still a decent read
I'd have to agree with the above reviewer about Reynolds' annoying pseudo-intellectual speak. This guy obviously just read Baudrillard's _Simulacra and Simulacram_ one night... Read more
Published on 24 Jun 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars highly-informative and vividly written summary of rave
Reynolds provides an highly-information, excruciatingly detailed view of the history of rave culture and techno music. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 1999

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring. Reynolds sucks the life out of an interesting topic.
Filled with annoying postmodern pseudo-english, Generation Ecstasy seems to be written by someone who desperately wants to be thought of as intelligent. Read more
Published on 27 Oct 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent. I'm glad to see the world of rave is out!
AWESOME!! ONE WORD: AWESOME!
Published on 12 Oct 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars The story of rave, without the condescension of 20/20
Simon Reynolds is a raver. He readily admits as such, right from the outset of the book. But unlike the biased, sensationalist 20/20 would have you believe of everyone in the... Read more
Published on 17 Sep 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars The first really great book about rave culture I've read
This is a really lively and provacative book about dance music that goes from its beginnings in the 80s right up to now. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 1998

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

This is Not a Rave: In the...

This is Not...

From the Lindy Hop to the Lambada, popular dance has worried the... Read more

›Find similar items

 

Make A Wish

Get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk Wish List Make sure you always get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk Wish List.

›More info on Wish Lists

  

Train Hard...Play Hard

Nike, Gola, Converse, and more
Gear up with up to 60% off athletic and outdoor shoes.

›Shop now

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates