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Overview
The Civil War tore America apart. The ensuing era of Reconstruction sewed it back together. In this vivid look at the popular culture of the era, Browne and Kreiser examine how Americans coped with the trials and tribulations of this cataclysmic period.
Narrative essays examine the lives of everyday Americans—young and old, Northern and Southern, soldier and civilian—along with the major traditions and trends in every facet of the time's popular culture. Dime novels, illustrated newspapers, iceboxes, patriotic hymns and rebel rhythms, minstrel shows, and professional baseball teams were just some of the cultural phenomena that thrived during this period. Readers will benefit from the chapter bibliographies, a timeline, a cost comparison, and suggestions for further reading. This latest addition to Greenwood's ^IAmerican Popular Culture Through History^R series is an invaluable contribution to the study of American popular culture.
Synopsis
In this vivid look at the popular culture of the era, Browne and Kreiser examine how Americans coped with this cataclysmic period.
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-A look at the era as defined by popular culture. Browne and Kreiser begin with overview chapters on daily life for the general population, and then examine in detail 10 aspects of culture including advertising, clothing and fashion, food, leisure activities, travel and transportation, and several categories of performing and fine arts. The authors describe both the trends and important people that shaped popular culture and the impact of the war and its aftermath. For example, they relate how baseball became America's pastime when Civil War soldiers, who learned to play while in camps, carried the game home with them at the war's end. Each chapter is well documented. The captioned black-and-white photos and reproductions of period illustrations and advertisements are dark and add little to the text. Most books on this period focus on the battles and political struggles. Browne and Kreiser look at the myriad changes during the Civil War and Reconstruction that were the genesis of our industrial and cultural modern America. This well-written and objective book deserves a place in all libraries.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.