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New
"Guide to U.S. Popular Culture" published
BOWLING GREEN, O.--A
monumental look at U.S. popular culture compiled by two scholars
who helped to establish the field of study has just been published
by the Bowling Green Popular Press.
Co-editors
Dr. Ray B. Browne and Pat Browne, who are married, spent the
last seven years working on the new "Guide to United States
Popular Culture."
The
1,010-page compendium may become the definitive reference book
in the field for scholars. It also is bound to catch the attention
of more than a few of us who are simply intrigued by the diversity
and richness of a culture fed by so many kinds of media.
Reviewer
Timothy E. Scheurer, president of the American Culture Association,
describes the book as "an almost indispensable source for
humanities and popular scholars and enthusiasts alike."
The nearly
1,600 entries offer concise information on the patchwork that
is the fabric of modern day American life.
"These
essays reveal how we develop enthusiasms and passions, find
pleasure and experience diversion, and express our needs and
interests," says Douglas A. Noverr, a past president of
the Popular Culture Association who reviewed an advance copy
of the book. "It’s the story of our past, the living
text of our present, and a look at the future."
To
compile the massive reference work, the Brownes worked with
a team of six advisory editors, one each for literature, the
arts, sports, electronic media, material culture, and heroes,
rituals, religions and outdoor entertainment.
There also was a group
of 15 section editors. These editors focused on sub-categories,
such as film, television, tabloids, radio, nature writing, children’s
literature, nonfiction genres, sports literature, mystery and
detective fiction, and music.
In all, about 500 scholars
wrote entries for the volume.
"We
tried to define the parameter of what should be studied as popular
culture and to describe the forces that run through U. S. popular
culture while at the same time provide a concise guide with
definitions," explains Ray B. Browne.
Adds Pat Browne, "We
sought out the best experts for the sections, and each entry
has a bibliography to point to other sources with more information.
There are many cross-references as well. The index runs 61pages.
"
"The
cross references are really valuable because they help the reader
to see the fabric of U.S. popular culture, so see that our culture
comprises many individual pieces," her husband pipes in.
The Brownes were closely
examining the threads of popular culture for more than a quarter
of a century before they embarked on creating "The Guide
to United States Popular Culture."
The 79-year-old Ray B.
Browne is a Distinguished University Professor emeritus of popular
culture at Bowling Green State University and widely credited
with coining the term "popular culture" in the 1960s.
A folklorist, he has written or edited more than 70 books on
literature and popular culture, and is a founder of BGSU’s
internationally known Department of Popular Culture as well
as its Popular Culture Library.
Pat Browne is director
of the Bowling Green Popular Press, an independent publishing
company that was established in 1970 at the University. The
press publishes approximately two dozen new titles annually.
She also is editor of the journal "Clues," which is
devoted to detective fiction.
"The
Guide to United States Popular Culture" book is now available
for purchase through the Bowling Green Popular Press.
For more information about
the book or to order a copy, phone (419) 372-7865 or 1-800-515-5118
or write to: Bowling Green Popular Press, Bowling Green State
University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403. (Posted 2-27-01)
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