Description
Book SynopsisAnalyses the evolution and the significance of the interaction between Hollywood and Washington to trace the history of the cinematic presidential image. Burton W. Peretti shows that traditional practices of presidential image making go back to George Washington, and then places the fourteen presidents of the cinematic era, from Herbert Hoover to Barack Obama, at the centre of the story.
Trade Review"Intriguing" * National Review *
"A challenging exploration of the intersection between the modern presidency and mass culture, refreshingly free of formulaic celebration and condemnation. This is a book to take seriously." -- Jackson Lears * author of Rebirth of a Nation: The Making of Modern America, 1877-1920 *
"Peretti’s writing rises above many Hollywood-centered books by viewing the industry from an historian’s perspective. It should appeal to knowledgeable general readers and serious film buffs."
* Library Journal *
"Burton W. Peretti’s
The Leading Man deepens our understanding of Hollywood’s increasingly central role in American political culture and reveals the ways in which many twentieth-century presidents adapted Hollywood communication techniques to sell themselves and their policies to voters." -- Steven J. Ross * author of Hollywood Left and Right: How Movie Stars Shaped American Politics *
"Peretti examines and explains how movie and television screens shaped the image of 14 presidents from Herbert Hoover to Barack Obama. Recommended."
* Choice *
"Peretti's analysis provides moments of brilliant insight into the intersection between the film industry and presidential politics." * The Journal of American History *
"An insightful study that successfully demonstrates the significance of cinematic culture in presidential politics. Scholars and students of U.S. history and culture will greatly benefit from this volume." * Presidential Studies Quarterly *
"
The Leading Man is an intelligent and wide-ranging work that is anchored in impressive scholarship, and it is a terrific read." -- George Cotkin * Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
1. “The Torments of Desire”: Presidents and Performance before 1929
2. The Studios’ Golden Age and the White House, 1929–1945
3. The Old Man and TV, 1945–1960
4. Charisma’s Hour, 1960–1969
5. Enter Stage Right, 1969–1989
6. Hollywood Wags the Dog, 1990–2000
7. The Twin Towers, 2001–2009
Conclusion
Notes
Index
