Bibliograph

The American way of life, a cultural history, Lawrence R. Samuel

Type

Label

The American way of life, a cultural history, Lawrence R. Samuel

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 145-147) and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The American way of life

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

980188360

Responsibility statement

Lawrence R. Samuel

Series statement

Fairleigh Dickinson University Press series in American history and culture

Sub title

a cultural history

Summary

"Telling the full story of the American way of life (or more simply the American way) in the United States over the course of the last century reveals key insights that add to our understanding of American culture. [The author] argues that since the term was popularized in the 1930s, the American way has served as the primary guiding mythology or national ethos of the United States. More than that, however, this work shows that the American way has represented many things to many people, making the mythology a useful device for anyone wishing to promote a particular agenda that serves his or her interests. A consumerist lifestyle supported by a system based in free enterprise has been the ideological backbone of the American way, but the term has been attached to everything from farming to baseball to barbecue. There really is no single, identifiable American way and never has been--it becomes clear after tracing its history--making it a kind of Zelig of belief systems. If our underlying philosophy or set of values is amorphous and nebulous, then so is our national identity and character, [the author] concludes, implying that the meaning of America is elastic and accommodating to many interpretations."--, Back cover

Table Of Contents

The epic of America -- What I am fighting for -- People of plenty -- The making of a counter culture -- The poverty of affluence -- The world is flat

Classification

Creator