Art of Democracy: A Concise History of Popular Culture in the United States

From the proliferation of novels written by white women in the late 18th cent. to the rise of rap music composed by black men in the late 20th, popular culture has been a powerful force in the U.S. In this fascinating history written for the general reader, Cullen traces the development of this culture over two centuries. He uses the novels of the late 18th & early 19th cent., the theater & minstrel shows of the mid-19th cent., the movies & TV of the 20th cent. to demonstrate the boundaries of form & geography. Cullen shows how unique & vibrant popular cultural forms have overcome initial resistance from the elites & enabled historically marginalized groups to gain access to the fruits of society & recognition from the mainstream. Illustrated.