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Popular Culture November 2019
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| Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America by James PoniewozikWhat it's about: how television's dominance as an increasingly political medium spurred the rise of Donald Trump: "Without TV, there's no Trump."
What's inside: chapters structured like episodes in a TV season, culminating in a sobering "Finale."
Don't miss: thought-provoking insights on how reality TV (including The Apprentice) has influenced Trump and his supporters' worldviews. |
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| The Contender: The Story of Marlon Brando by William J. MannWhat it is: a meticulously researched biography of actor Marlon Brando.
What sets it apart: Aided by materials from Brando's personal archives, William J. Mann embraces the actor's complexity, celebrating his artistry and activism while also examining his traumatic childhood, complicated family relationships, and mistreatment of women.
Read it for: fresh insights on Brando's career highlights, including the story behind On the Waterfront's famous "contender" speech. |
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| Country Music: An Illustrated History by Dayton Duncan and Ken BurnsWhat it's about: the evolution of American country music in the 20th century and the influential musicians who have shaped the genre.
What's inside: richly detailed illustrations, including album jackets, memorabilia, and rare concert photos.
Book buzz: Country Music is the companion to the eight-part PBS series of the same name. |
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| Generation Friends: An Inside Look at the Show That Defined a Television Era by Saul AusterlitzThe one with: an engaging look at beloved sitcom Friends, featuring behind-the-scenes dish and interviews with the show's creators.
So no one told you... the show's original title was Insomnia Cafe; comedian Janeane Garofalo was almost cast as Monica.
Try this next: For another nostalgic book commemorating Friends' 25th anniversary, check out Kelsey Miller's I'll Be There For You. |
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| High School by Tegan & SaraWhat it is: a moody coming-of-age memoir from Canadian indie pop duo (and identical twins) Tegan and Sara.
Who it's for: Fans of the Grammy-nominated sisters will enjoy this engaging chronicle of the pair's discovery of music and themselves -- now openly gay, both struggled with their sexuality in their teens. |
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| NFL Century: The One-Hundred-Year Rise of America's Greatest Sports League by Joe HorriganWhat it is: a richly detailed big-picture survey of the National Football League's first 100 years, laden with pub trivia-ready factoids.
Topics include: the league's origins in Canton, Ohio; its ever-evolving management and ownership; player eligibility requirements.
Author alert: Former Pro Football Hall of Fame executive director Joe Horrigan brings his insider knowledge of the game to this lively and illuminating history. |
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| Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep by Erin CarlsonWhat it is: a fast-paced and gossipy chronicle of Meryl Streep's ascendancy to movie stardom: with 21 nods (and three wins), she's the most nominated actor in Academy Awards history.
Is it for you? Readers looking for more insights into Streep's off-camera life won't find many here, though Michael Schulman's Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep offers plenty of dish on the actor beyond her screen persona. |
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| Year of the Monkey by Patti SmithWhat it's about: National Book Award-winning author and musician Patti Smith reflects on a surreal and tumultuous 2016.
What happened: Smith mourned the death and declining health of longtime friends Sandy Pearlman and Sam Shepard, grappled with aging on the eve of her 70th birthday, and reckoned with the "terrible soap opera called the American election."
Reviewers say: "Smith casts a mesmerizing spell with exquisite prose" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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