About the book
The first half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in America’s folk heritage, as Americans began to enthusiastically collect, present, market, and consume the nation’s folk traditions. Examining one of this century’s most
prominent “folk revivals” — the reemergence of Southern Appalachian handicraft traditions in the 1930s — Jane Becker unravels the cultural politics that bound together a complex network of producers, reformers, government officials, industries, museums, urban markets, and consumers, all of whom helped to redefine Appalachian craft production in the context of a national cultural identity.
Becker uses this craft revival as a way of exploring the construction of the cultural categories “folk” and “tradition.” She also addresses the consequences such labels have had on the people to whom they have been assigned. Though the revival of domestic arts in the Southern Appalachians reflected an attempt to aid the people of an impoverished region, she says, as well as a desire to recapture an important part of the nation’s folk heritage, in reality the new craft production owed less to tradition than to middle-class tastes and consumer culture — forces that obscured the techniques used by mountain laborers and the conditions in which they worked.
Editions of Selling Tradition
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807824085
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807847152
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807860311
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890869487
Read an Excerpt
The first half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in America’s folk heritage, as Americans began to enthusiastically collect, present, market, and consume the nation’s folk traditions. Examining one of this century’s most
prominent “folk revivals” — the reemergence of Southern Appalachian handicraft traditions in the 1930s — Jane Becker unravels the cultural politics that bound together a complex network of producers, reformers, government officials, industries, museums, urban markets, and consumers, all of whom helped to redefine Appalachian craft production in the context of a national cultural identity.
Becker uses this craft revival as a way of exploring the construction of the cultural categories “folk” and “tradition.” She also addresses the consequences such labels have had on the people to whom they have been assigned. Though the revival of domestic arts in the Southern Appalachians reflected an attempt to aid the people of an impoverished region, she says, as well as a desire to recapture an important part of the nation’s folk heritage, in reality the new craft production owed less to tradition than to middle-class tastes and consumer culture — forces that obscured the techniques used by mountain laborers and the conditions in which they worked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Selling Tradition about?
The first half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in America’s folk heritage, as Americans began to enthusiastically collect, present, market, and consume the nation’s folk traditions. Examining one of this century’s most
prominent “folk revivals” — the reemergence of Southern Appalachian handicraft traditions in the 1930s — Jane Becker unravels the cultural politics that bound together a complex network of producers, reformers, government officials, industries, museums, urban markets, and consumers, all of whom helped to redefine Appalachian craft production in the context of a national cultural identity.
Becker uses this craft revival as a way of exploring the construction of the cultural categories “folk” and “tradition.” She also addresses the consequences such labels have had on the people to whom they have been assigned. Though the revival of domestic arts in the Southern Appalachians reflected an attempt to aid the people of an impoverished region, she says, as well as a desire to recapture an important part of the nation’s folk heritage, in reality the new craft production owed less to tradition than to middle-class tastes and consumer culture — forces that obscured the techniques used by mountain laborers and the conditions in which they worked.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Selling Tradition?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Selling Tradition?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807824085
How long is Selling Tradition and how many pages does it have?
Selling Tradition has 360 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Selling Tradition?
Jane S. Becker
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Selling Tradition is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807824085) and paperback(ISBN 9780807847152) and ebook(ISBN 9780807860311) and pdf(ISBN 9798890869487)
Where can I buy Selling Tradition online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Selling Tradition from below
Where can I buy Selling Tradition?