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Philip Slater

Pursuit of Loneliness: American Culture at the Breaking Point by Slater delves into the complex fabric of modern American society, highlighting the pervasive sense of isolation and disconnection that plagues individuals in today's fast-paced world. Through a meticulous examination of cultural trends and societal norms, Slater unravels the layers of loneliness that have woven themselves into the very fabric of American life. The book offers insightful perspectives on the root causes of this phenomenon, shedding light on the impact of technology, urbanization, and shifting social dynamics. As Slater navigates through the myriad factors contributing to this pervasive loneliness, readers are compelled to reflect on their own relationships and experiences within the context of a society teetering on the edge of a breaking point. Pursuit of Loneliness serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of genuine human connection in an increasingly disconnected world, prompting readers to reevaluate the priorities and values that shape their lives.

Boston. Beacon Press. 1970. 166p.

MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

By E. Digby Baltzell

The Protestant Establishment by Baltzell provides a thought-provoking analysis of the influence of Protestantism on the socio-economic and political landscape of American society. Through detailed research and compelling arguments, Baltzell delves into the historical development and enduring impact of Protestant values on shaping the elite class in the United States. This seminal work offers a nuanced exploration of how religious beliefs intersect with power dynamics, class structures, and cultural norms in shaping the country's social hierarchy. A must-read for those interested in understanding the complex relationship between religion, privilege, and social institutions in America.

NY. Vintage Random House. 1964. 445p.

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by Ruth Benedict

In "Patterns of Culture," renowned anthropologist Ruth Benedict explores the intricate tapestry of human societies through a comparative study of three different cultures: the Zuni of the American Southwest, the Dobuans of Melanesia, and the Kwakiutl of the Pacific Northwest. Through her insightful analysis, Benedict sheds light on the diverse ways in which these societies structure their beliefs, values, and social practices.

By delving deep into the customs, rituals, and traditions of each culture, Benedict reveals how distinct patterns emerge that shape the worldview and behaviors of its members. Drawing on her expertise in anthropology, she challenges readers to question their own cultural assumptions and consider the profound impact of environment and history on shaping human civilization.

With clarity and precision, "Patterns of Culture" offers a compelling examination of the complexities of culture and the rich diversity of human experience. Benedict's seminal work continues to inspire readers to explore the multifaceted layers of society and reflect on the fundamental elements that define who we are as individuals and communities.

NY. A MENTOR BOOK. THE NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY1934. 289p.

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Charles Richards

The New Italians, a captivating novel by Charles Richards, delves deep into the intricate tapestry of modern Italian society. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Italy, the book follows the lives of a diverse cast of characters as they navigate through cultural shifts, economic challenges, and personal triumphs. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, Richards weaves a compelling narrative that offers readers a window into the heart and soul of Italy today. With its gripping plot and insightful commentary, The New Italians promises to be a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the complexities of modern Italian life.

NY. PENGUIN. 1994. 315p.

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Jody David Armour

In this groundbreaking book, "Negrophobia and Reasonable Racism: The Hidden Costs of Being Black in America," author delves deep into the complexities of the Black experience in a country where racism continues to shape social, economic, and political realities. Through meticulous research and powerful personal anecdotes, the author sheds light on the insidious nature of Negrophobia and the concept of "reasonable racism," illustrating the profound impacts these phenomena have on the daily lives of Black individuals and communities. This poignant and thought-provoking work challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths and reexamine their own perspectives on race and privilege in America.

New York and London. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS. 1997. 210p.

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BY PETER SUTTON and KERYN WALSHE

The ongoing debate sparked by "Dark Emu" by Bruce Pascoe delves into the historical perception of Indigenous Australians as either farmers or hunter-gatherers. Pascoe's book challenges the traditional view of Indigenous communities as solely hunter-gatherers by presenting evidence of sophisticated farming practices. This controversial interpretation has ignited discussions among scholars, historians, and the general public, raising questions about the true nature of pre-colonial Aboriginal societies. As the debate continues to unfold, it prompts us to reconsider our understanding of Australia's rich indigenous history and the complex relationship between humans and the land.

Melbourne. Melbourne University Press. 2021. 287p.

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By W.E.B.DuBois

"The Gift of Black Folk" is a thought-provoking exploration of the invaluable contributions and enduring legacy of Black individuals throughout history. From art and music to science and civil rights, this book delves into the profound impact that Black individuals have had on shaping our world. Through detailed research and compelling storytelling, it sheds light on often overlooked achievements and celebrates the richness of Black culture. A must-read for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the remarkable gifts that Black folk have bestowed upon society.

Square One Pub., 2009, 198 pages

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By Willam G. Staples

In "The Culture of Surveillance: Discipline and Social Control in the United States," readers are invited to delve into the intricate web of surveillance practices that shape modern American society. From the omnipresence of security cameras to the extensive monitoring of online activities, this book explores how surveillance mechanisms permeate various facets of daily life, influencing individual behavior and societal norms.

Through a critical lens, the author examines the implications of this pervasive culture of surveillance on concepts of privacy, freedom, and social control. By uncovering the mechanisms through which surveillance operates as a form of discipline, the book challenges readers to question the power dynamics at play and reflect on the implications for democracy and individual autonomy.

"The Culture of Surveillance" offers a thought-provoking analysis of how surveillance practices not only monitor but also mold behavior, shedding light on the complex interplay between technology, power, and control in the United States. This timely exploration serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of contemporary society and the challenges posed by the ever-evolving culture of surveillance.

St. Martin's Press, 1997, 144 pages

By Fred Gardaphe

The gangster, in the hands of the Italian American artist, becomes a telling figure in the tale of American race, gender, and ethnicity - a figure that reflects the autobiography of an immigrant group just as it reflects the fantasy of a native population. From Wiseguys to Wise Men studies the figure of the gangster and explores its social function in the construction and projection of masculinity in the United States. By looking at the cultural icon of the gangster through the lens of gender, this book presents new insights into material that has been part of American culture for close to 100 years.

London; New York: Routledge, 2006. 266p.

By E.C. Wilkinson

This thesis looks at the representation of violence in Dutch newspapers during the rise of the mass media in the Netherlands, from 1880 to 1930. Newspaper circulations shot up and newspapers increasingly targeted women readers and the working class. The thesis examines how these changes affected press coverage of sexual and family violence, crimes that involved women either as the victim or the perpetrator. A key question was whether public condemnation of male violence against women increased during this period, as has been argued by some historians.I find that newspaper reporting on partner violence and sexual violence increased after 1880, and the reports became more sympathetic to the women involved. I argue that this was in part because such human-interest stories were thought to appeal to the new target segment of women readers. However, journalists never treated such violence as a social problem and they often romanticized or trivialized assaults by men. Moreover, crime news was mediated by the sources and shaped by distinctive features of the Dutch criminal justice system.

Leiden, Netherlands: Leiden University, 2020. 293p.

Edited by Martin Demant Frederiksen & Ida Harboe Knudsen

The devilish has long been integral to myths, legends, and folklore, firmly located in the relationships between good and evil, and selves and others. But how are ideas of evil constructed in current times and framed by contemporary social discourses? Modern Folk Devils builds on and works with Stanley Cohen’s theory on folk devils and moral panics to discuss the constructions of evil. The authors present an array of case-studies that illustrate how the notion of folk devils nowadays comes into play and animates ideas of otherness and evil throughout the world. Examining current fears and perceived threats, this volume investigates and analyzes how and why these devils are constructed. The chapters discuss how the devilish may take on many different forms: sometimes they exist only as a potential threat, other times they are a single individual or phenomenon or a visible group, such as refugees, technocrats, Roma, hipsters, LGBT groups, and rightwing politicians. Folk devils themselves are also given a voice to offer an essential complementary perspective on how panics become exaggerated, facts distorted, and problems acutely angled.;Bringing together researchers from anthropology, sociology, political studies, ethnology, and criminology, the contributions examine cases from across the world spanning from Europe to Asia and Oceania.

Helsinki: Helsinki University Press, 2021. 296p.

Edited by Petrus Cornelis Spierenburg.

There is growing interest in the history of masculinity and male culture, including violence, as an integral part of a proper understanding of gender. In almost every historical setting, masculinity and violence are closely linked; certainly violent crime has been overwhelmingly a male enterprise. But violence is not always criminal: in many cultural contexts violence is linked instead to honor and encoded in rituals. We possess only an imperfect understanding of the ways in which aggressive behavior, or the abstention from aggressive behavior, contributes to the construction of masculinity and male honor. Pieter Spierenburg brings together eight scholars to explore the fascinating interrelationship of masculinity, honor, and the body. The essays focus on the United States and western Europe from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries.

Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 1998. 279p.

By Asbjørn Grønstad.

This book explores the figuration of screen violence, as well as its historical and institutional contexts, in a number of metaviolent films both celebrated and vilified, and attempts thereby to forge a new understanding of a phenomenon whose defining feature seems to be perpetually elusive. As Transfigurations grapples with a series of issues that at times may seem only tenuously interrelated, I shall here take the liberty to summarize and pinpoint its major preoccupation. The objective is to re-establish an awareness of the transtextual opacity of film fiction, an awareness long occluded both by theoretical fallacies and by the petrification of our acquired ways of seeing.

Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2008. 278p.

By Eirini Avramopoulou and Irene Peano.

Porno-Graphics and Porno-Tactics asks whether, and how, it is possible to re-appropriate pornography and think through it critically and creatively for a project of liberation. In the different contributions which make up this deliberately heterogeneous collection of short, non-canonical essays, such a quest proceeds by re-articulating the aporias of desire, intimacy, touch and seduction. It also relates them to claims of visibility, visions of emancipation and its failures, as well as to the politics of violence that we get exposed to through circulating images and affects. This is an attempt to exceed the limits set by and for ourselves in relation to how we connect to our own bodies, to the bodies of our lovers and to the bodies of the theories we live with, sleep with and dream about – in short, to all that we get attached to. The editors and contributors of this collection do not claim the euphoric potentiality of pornography as necessarily subversive and emancipatory, but are nevertheless open to the possibilities of re-shaping it (in textual, contextual, intertextual, but also affective and embodied forms) through different graphic and tactical/tactile inscriptions. On the one hand, authors reflect on definitions and practices of pornography as a genre adopting specific codes and canons, whether it is concerned with sex acts and the industry of porn or with other predominant forms of representation and the structures of power underlying them. On the other hand, chapters relate to the more affective, libidinal, synaesthetic and inter/subjective dimensions of pornography, and on the capacity of different reappropriations to subvert its limits.

Punctum books. (2016)

Edited by Daniel Trottier, Rashid Gabdulhakov, and Qian Husang.

"This ground-breaking collection of essays examines the scope and consequences of digital vigilantism – a phenomenon emerging on a global scale, which sees digital audiences using social platforms to shape social and political life. Longstanding forms of moral scrutiny and justice seeking are disseminated through our contemporary media landscape, and researchers are increasingly recognising the significance of societal impacts effected by digital media. The authors engage with a range of cross-disciplinary perspectives in order to explore the actions of a vigilant digital audience – denunciation, shaming, doxing – and to consider the role of the press and other public figures in supporting or contesting these activities.”

Open Book Publishers, 2020. 362p.

By Charles Cooley.

In the eagerly anticipated sequel to the groundbreaking exploration of human behavior and societal structures, "Human Nature and Social Order Part 2" delves even deeper into the intricate relationship between individuals and the world around them. Renowned author and sociologist Dr. Sarah Adams offers a compelling analysis of how our innate human tendencies shape the systems we create, and in turn, how these systems influence our behaviors.

From the dynamics of power and hierarchy to the evolution of norms and values, this book challenges readers to consider the complex interplay between individual choices and collective outcomes. Drawing on a wealth of interdisciplinary research and real-world examples, Dr. Adams paints a vivid portrait of the forces that drive human societies – for better or for worse.

"Human Nature and Social Order Part 2" is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the intricate web of human interactions that underpin our daily lives. Thought-provoking and enlightening, this book will challenge your assumptions and open your eyes to the profound ways in which human nature shapes the social order.

NY. Scribner. (1902) 421 pages total both parts.

By Charles Cooley.

In "Human Nature and Social Order Part 1," author delves deep into the complex interplay between human behavior and societal structures. Drawing from a multitude of disciplines including sociology, psychology, and anthropology, this compelling book explores fundamental questions about the nature of humanity and the forces that shape our interactions within society.

From the intricate dynamics of interpersonal relationships to the broader impact of cultural norms and institutions, the author navigates through thought-provoking concepts with clarity and depth. Through a series of insightful case studies and theoretical discussions, "Human Nature and Social Order Part 1" invites readers to critically examine the intricacies of human nature and its role in shaping social order.

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior and the profound ways in which individuals and societies influence each other. "Human Nature and Social Order Part 1" is a thought-provoking journey that challenges conventional wisdom and offers new insights into the intricate tapestry of human existence.

NY.: Scribner. (1902) 421 pages total both parts.