Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A quietly eloquent intervention in contemporary critical practice." *
American Literature *
"Tichi provides rich and nuanced readings of works by muckrakers at both ends of the twentieth century, plus a stunning cultural analysis of the booming, insecure world in the U.S., c. 1980-2000. She shows what it means to think of noncanonical texts in multiple ways, including those shaped by literary theory. Finally, she offers wonderful insights into the process by which journalists emerge as writers, and into the problematic differences between journalism and literature." * Daniel Horowitz, Smith College *
"Tichi shows us the art of muckraking narrative, and how artful it must be. She shows us, too, the state we are in as a society. The cumulative evidence constitutes a devastating critique of where we are as a culture, where we are in the world, and where we are going. Tichi writes with exuberance, but if we take her seriously, this is a profoundly troubling book." * Miles Orvell, Temple University *
"Tichi makes it clear that she sometimes becomes depressed at the corruption and insensitivity raining down from the top of U.S. society, including the White House, and would like to see more journalists exposing problems. But despite legitimate reasons for concern, her book is largely an affirmation of contemporary investigative journalism. And that's good news." *
Christian Science Monitor *
"Intriguing. . . . Tichi has a firm grasp on contemporary culture in the very early and late 1900s. . . . As much contemporary culture and sociology as journalism." *
Choice *
Table of ContentsChapter 1. From The Jungle to Fast Food Nation: American Deja Vu
Chapter 2. Bulked Up, Hollowed Out: Looking Backward, Looking Forward
Chapter 3. Muckrakers c. 1900: Civic Passions, "Righteous Indignation"
Chapter 4. Muckrakers c. 2000
—Barbara Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed:On (Not) Getting By in America
—Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
—Naomi Klein, No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies
—Laurie Garrett, Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health
—Joseph T. Hallinan, Going Up the River: Travels in a Prison Nation
Epilogue: Tipping Point, or the Long Goodbye?
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
