About the book
The proliferation of book clubs, reading groups, “outline” volumes, and new forms of book reviewing in the first half of the twentieth century influenced the tastes and pastimes of millions of Americans. Joan Rubin here provides the first comprehensive analysis of this phenomenon, the rise of American middlebrow culture, and the values encompassed by it.
Rubin centers her discussion on five important expressions of the middlebrow: the founding of the Book-of-the-Month Club; the beginnings of “great books” programs; the creation of the New York Herald Tribune’s book-review section; the popularity of such works as Will Durant’s The Story of Philosophy; and the emergence of literary radio programs. She also investigates the lives and expectations of the individuals who shaped these middlebrow institutions — such figures as Stuart Pratt Sherman, Irita Van Doren, Henry Seidel Canby, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, John Erskine, William Lyon Phelps, Alexander Woollcott, and Clifton Fadiman.
Moreover, as she pursues the significance of these cultural intermediaries who connected elites and the masses by interpreting ideas to the public, Rubin forces a reconsideration of the boundary between high culture and popular sensibility.
Editions of The Making of Middlebrow Culture
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807820100
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807843543
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807864265
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890866608
Read an Excerpt
The proliferation of book clubs, reading groups, “outline” volumes, and new forms of book reviewing in the first half of the twentieth century influenced the tastes and pastimes of millions of Americans. Joan Rubin here provides the first comprehensive analysis of this phenomenon, the rise of American middlebrow culture, and the values encompassed by it.
Rubin centers her discussion on five important expressions of the middlebrow: the founding of the Book-of-the-Month Club; the beginnings of “great books” programs; the creation of the New York Herald Tribune’s book-review section; the popularity of such works as Will Durant’s The Story of Philosophy; and the emergence of literary radio programs. She also investigates the lives and expectations of the individuals who shaped these middlebrow institutions — such figures as Stuart Pratt Sherman, Irita Van Doren, Henry Seidel Canby, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, John Erskine, William Lyon Phelps, Alexander Woollcott, and Clifton Fadiman.
Moreover, as she pursues the significance of these cultural intermediaries who connected elites and the masses by interpreting ideas to the public, Rubin forces a reconsideration of the boundary between high culture and popular sensibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Making of Middlebrow Culture about?
The proliferation of book clubs, reading groups, “outline” volumes, and new forms of book reviewing in the first half of the twentieth century influenced the tastes and pastimes of millions of Americans. Joan Rubin here provides the first comprehensive analysis of this phenomenon, the rise of American middlebrow culture, and the values encompassed by it.
Rubin centers her discussion on five important expressions of the middlebrow: the founding of the Book-of-the-Month Club; the beginnings of “great books” programs; the creation of the New York Herald Tribune’s book-review section; the popularity of such works as Will Durant’s The Story of Philosophy; and the emergence of literary radio programs. She also investigates the lives and expectations of the individuals who shaped these middlebrow institutions — such figures as Stuart Pratt Sherman, Irita Van Doren, Henry Seidel Canby, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, John Erskine, William Lyon Phelps, Alexander Woollcott, and Clifton Fadiman.
Moreover, as she pursues the significance of these cultural intermediaries who connected elites and the masses by interpreting ideas to the public, Rubin forces a reconsideration of the boundary between high culture and popular sensibility.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Making of Middlebrow Culture?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of The Making of Middlebrow Culture?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807820100
How long is The Making of Middlebrow Culture and how many pages does it have?
The Making of Middlebrow Culture has 438 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Making of Middlebrow Culture?
Joan Shelley Rubin
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Making of Middlebrow Culture is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807820100) and paperback(ISBN 9780807843543) and ebook(ISBN 9780807864265) and pdf(ISBN 9798890866608)
Where can I buy The Making of Middlebrow Culture online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Making of Middlebrow Culture from below
Where can I buy The Making of Middlebrow Culture?