Art of Democracy: A Concise History of Popular Culture in the U.S.

Popular culture (PC) has been a powerful force in the U.S., connecting disparate & even hostile constituencies. The novels of the late 18th & early 19th cent., the theater & minstrel shows of the mid-19th cent., movies, & the intro. of TV & computers in the 20th cent. are the building blocks that Cullen uses to show how unique & vibrant cultural forms overcame initial resistance & enabled historically marginalized groups to gain recognition from the mainstream. This updated ed. contains a final chapter which traces the history of contemporary computing from its WW2 origins as a mil. tool to its widespread use in the late 20th cent. as a tool for the masses. Shows how the computer is reshaping PC, & how that culture yet retains its capacity to surprise. Illus.