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Overview
The conspiracies and fears fostered by the Cold War continue to poison our national psyche. New enemies, real or imagined, have fostered subcultures of fantasy and paranoia, and vertiginous proclamations of doom and transformation. In this new book, John Leonard shows how our great novelists and essayists can help us to find some sense and sanity amid the dull roar of tabloids, talk shows, and the Disneyfication of everything.Synopsis
The conspiracies and fears fostered by the Cold War continue to poison our national psyche. New enemies, real or imagined, have fostered subcultures of fantasy and paranoia, and vertiginous proclamations of doom and transformation. In this new book, John Leonard shows how our great novelists and essayists can help us to find some sense and sanity amid the dull roar of tabloids, talk shows, and the Disneyfication of everything.
Library Journal
Cultural critic Leonard (Smoke and Mirrors, New Pr., 1997) has assembled a new volume of reflections on the best new literature and what it has to say about America today. The book is divided into five categories: Going Down with Atlantis, Falling Off the Pacific Rim, Mixed Media, American Identities, and Third World. Along the way, Leonard takes aim at the likes of The X-Files, Don DeLillo, PBS, Joan Didion, Thomas Pynchon, and Toni Morrison, to name a few. Throughout, he shows how great novelists and essayists can make sense of our often confusing and superficial culture. Readers will find a smorgasbord of ideas, sometimes outrageous but always thought-provoking. Leonard should be required reading for all those wanting to make sense of our times. Recommended for all libraries.--Ron Ratliff, Chapman H.S. Lib., Manhattan, KS Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
Library Journal
Cultural critic Leonard (Smoke and Mirrors, New Pr., 1997) has assembled a new volume of reflections on the best new literature and what it has to say about America today. The book is divided into five categories: Going Down with Atlantis, Falling Off the Pacific Rim, Mixed Media, American Identities, and Third World. Along the way, Leonard takes aim at the likes of The X-Files, Don DeLillo, PBS, Joan Didion, Thomas Pynchon, and Toni Morrison, to name a few. Throughout, he shows how great novelists and essayists can make sense of our often confusing and superficial culture. Readers will find a smorgasbord of ideas, sometimes outrageous but always thought-provoking. Leonard should be required reading for all those wanting to make sense of our times. Recommended for all libraries.--Ron Ratliff, Chapman H.S. Lib., Manhattan, KS Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.Brigitte Frase
May [Leonard] keep up the good fight against those who think ''there is no meaning, so behavior doesn't count,'' those who act as if there were ''no death, no shame, no scruple, not a hope, only coded discourse, linguistic predicament and incantations.'' He may be showing off, but he's a necessary reporter on the scene.— The New York Times Book Review