Description
Book SynopsisCombines an historical account of American foreign and domestic politics 1945-1995 with summaries and analyses of 30 novels and films of the times, to give a sense of how Americans felt about themselves during the Cold War period and their collective anxiety about "the enemy" and the atomic bomb.
Trade ReviewUseful for gathering ideas for a foreign policy and film/novel course. * CHOICE *
Lipschutz presents an accessible, yet thoughtful account of the political activities and cultural climate of the Cold War, using discussion on films (mostly) and some fiction as pedagogical tools. Certainly this book could nicely shape a course, but self-study is as convenient as the local video store. * Reference and Research Book News *
The historical narrative that drives the plot forward is brilliantly executed. Lipschutz's narrative is deceptively easy to read. He skillfully weaves the two texts together and packs a lot of information into a confined space without ever losing his story's momentum. * Millennium *
Lipschutz provides an accessible pedagogical tool to enliven historical studies with film and illuminate broader political and economic issues on cinema and literature. * Film & History: An Interdisciplinary Journal *
What can films like Bladerunner or Invasion of the Body Snatchers and novels such as 1984 or Rising Sun, tell us about the Cold War and U.S. foreign policy? Quite a lot, it turns out. In a delightful book suitable both for teaching and for a popular audience, Ronnie Lipschutz provides a fresh and accessible account of U.S. foreign policy since World War II. His lucid and entertaining analysis moves easily from fact to fiction, and back again, highlighting the continuities and interconnections between popular culture and state policy. -- Jutta Weldes, University of Bristol, U.K.
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Films and Novels Discussed in this Book Chapter 2 Preface: What Did You Do in the Cold War, Daddy? Chapter 3 A Note to the Reader Chapter 4 Film, Fiction, American Politics Chapter 5 From Hot War to Cold War Chapter 6 Reds among Us? Chapter 7 Spies! Chapter 8 Nukes! Chapter 9 The Final Frontier Chapter 10 Vietnam, Over and Over Chapter 11 Renewing the Cold War Chapter 12 New Competitors, Old Enemies Chapter 13 Now What? Chapter 14 Notes Chapter 15 Resources Chapter 16 Bibliography Chapter 17 Index
