Description
Book SynopsisFrom Revolution to Revelation offers a new paradigm for Cultural Studies. Tara Brabazon explores our understanding of our own past and the collective past we share with others through popular culture. She investigates Generation X, the âpost-youthâ generation born between 1961 and 1981, and the popular cultural literacies that are the basis of this imagining community. She looks at the ways in which popular culture offers a vehicle for memory, providing the building blocks of identity - the politics and passion of life captured in an unforgettable song, an amazing nightclub, or an unexpected goal in extra time. For a fan, the joy and exhilaration is enough, but it is the task of cultural studies to understand why particular cultural forms survive the passage of time and space. Brabazon argues, with Lawrence Grossberg, that Cultural Studies is âthe Generation X of the academic worldâ. She tracks its journey away from Marxism and subcultural theory and looks at its future. In particular she explores the possibilities of popular memory studies in reclaiming and repairing the discipline of Cultural Studies - making it as relevant and as revelatory as in its revolutionary past.
Trade Review’People like to call psychoanalysis Freudian, philosophy Hegelian, postmodernism Baudrillardian...but when it comes to cultural studies, make mine Brabazonian. From Revolution to Revelation is a superb book that picks apart popular memory, separating useless, morbid nostalgia from inspiring, vital recall. In her racy, electric writing, Brabazon takes us from the smallest, most endearing details of popular texts and events through to the full-blown creation of new, fluid communities. Hers is a cultural politics that comes with anger, laughter, style and wisdom. This is a book that brings both revolution and revelation.’ Adrian Martin, Film Critic 'From the first to the last page, From Revolution to Revelation is a very personal book. Brabazon's interest in popular memories that are partly hr own guarantees for an immensely entertaining style of writing...her studies keep the promise of providing revelation.' American Studies
Table of ContentsContents: Introduction: changing the dedication. Building the Hacienda: The archaeology of X: making a (post) youth culture; Settling accounts with Birmingham; Thank you for the history lesson; Always on my mind: building popular memory studies. Sound And Vision: Reading on your feet and dancing through the revolution; Dancing with the chairman of the board; Here to stay? 24 hour (post) party people; Looking through rouge coloured glasses; Conclusion: save Ferris; Select bibliography; Index.
