Encyclopedia of Contemporary British Culture

by Peter Childs (Editor), Michael Storry (Editor)

Overview

Boasting more than 970 alphabetically-arranged entries, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary British Culture surveys British cultural practices and icons in the latter half of the twentieth century. It examines high and popular culture and encompasses both institutional and alternative aspects of British culture. It provides insight into the whole spectrum of British contemporary life. Topics covered include: architecture, pubs, film, internet and current takes on the monarchy. Cross-referencing and a thematic contents list enable readers to identify related articles. The entries range from short biographical synopses to longer overview essays on key issues.
This Encyclopedia is essential reading for anyone interested in British culture. It also provides a cultural context for students of English, Modern History and Comparative European Studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415147262
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/12/1999
Series:	Encyclopedias of Contemporary Culture
Pages:	656
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter Childs, Mike Storry

Table of Contents

*Afro-Caribbean communities * Asian Press * BBC * Bhangra * Black Theatre * Carnaby Street * Channel 4 * Daniel Day-Lewis * Dennis Potter * Drink in Britain * FA Cup * Fashion (90s) * Food * Football * Glenda Jackson * Janet Street-Porter * Stanley Kubrick * Labour Party * Lucian Freud * Michael Caine * Monarchy * Musicals * Nick Park * Notting Hill Carnival * Pop Art * Raves * Stanley Kubrick * The Rushdie Affair * Jasper Conran *

Editorial Reviews

Part of a series of encyclopedias on contemporary culture, these two works offer cross-referenced entries, alphabetically arranged, that include both specific and general topics. All articles are signed, and a subject listing, a list of contributors with their affiliations, and suggestions for further reading are included. Coverage in the Encyclopedia of Contemporary British Culture begins with the 1960s but stresses the 1990s. Many inconsistencies emerge: while individual film directors, intellectuals, and visual artists are treated, musicians, politicians, and literary authors are not. Little uniformity exists between similar entries: "actors (male)" discusses all acting venues but "actors (female)" deals almost exclusively with cinema. Entries tend to be more analysis than fact, and statistics in many expected places are absent. For instance, the entry for "cars" omits any information on manufacturing or ownership and instead discusses four-wheel-drive advertising gimmicks. Far more useful is Bamber Gascoigne's Encyclopedia of Britain (Macmillan, 1993). Coverage in The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Spanish Culture begins with the end of the Civil War in 1939, emphasizing the post-Franco period (after 1975). It is inclusive of Catalan, Galician, and Basque languages and cultures. Musicians, politicians, and writers are treated, and entries may include a bibliography, filmography, or discography of an entrant's major works. General topics receive more thorough and factual treatment, such as the entry for "sexual behavior," which discusses contradictory poll results, statistics regarding both attitudes and behavior, and considerations of age, gender, and geographic location. Altogether a more sound reference work than the Encyclopedia of Contemporary British Culture, it also provides more consistently annotated, relevant, and numerous bibliographic references. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.--Anna Youssefi, Univ. of Houston Lib. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

"If you want to find out about post-modern anything, it is here in this encyclopedia." - American Reference Books Annual

'This encyclopedia provides a useful overview of current British cultural activity - of interest to the academic and general reader. An excellent book to browse through.' - Library Association Record 102(6) 2000

'The book promises to become an institution, indispensable for the countless adepts who, trained in one discipline, are driven by the interdisciplinary demands of cultural studies into alien territories of contemporary culture.' - Journal for the Study of British Cultures

'a comprehensive and wide ranging, readable and accessible snapshot encyclopedia of contemporary British culture.' - Reference Reviews 14/3 [2000] 47-58

From the Publisher