Inventing Popular Culture: From Folklore to Globalization

by John Storey

John Storey, a leading figure in the field of Cultural Studies, offers an illuminating and vibrant account of the development of popular culture. Addressing issues such as globalization, intellectualism, and consumerism, Inventing Popular Culture presents an engaging assessment of one of the most debated concepts of recent times.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, History, Essays

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2003

About the author

Professor John Storey, Professor of Cultural Studies, Director of Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies, University of Sunderland.

Reviews

[rains · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book basically does what it says in the blurb, but it largely operates within the framework of theory and the debates and polemics within the field of cultural studies. Case studies are occasionally interesting, but generally scant, synthesized from other sources, and outdated, even esoteric at times (opera?!), as if the author's awareness of what's occurring in actual, real-life, beyond-theory pop culture has stopped somewhere in the 1970s/80s. The edition I've read is from 2006, so there's no excuse for barely acknowledging the existence of the internet or the impact of new technologies on genres, formats, audience reception and engagement, and so on.
On the plus side, the book is an accessible and breezy read, and will be useful for those interested in how popular culture is situated (theorized, debated, etc.) within the field of cultural studies. For the reader interested in how popular culture operates in the world more generally, in how it impacts real life, as well as in up-do-date, relevant case studies, I'd highly recommend Stacey Takacs's Interrogating Popular Culture: Key Questions instead.

[katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it's a textbook but I read the entire thing cover to cover for an exam when there were ZERO questions about it so I am counting it in my reading goal, damn it.

I like culture theory. Specifically, identity theory. I think it's fascinating. This text was a nice, gentle introduction to it. Easy to read and follow, helpful examples, good choices of theorists. I know it's a textbook, but I probably will not sell it--so take from that what you will. It could one day be useful to me again.

I only rated it 3 stars though because it IS a textbook. Isn't exactly some thrilling literature that you read on your downtime, unless you're into that kind of thing.

[Ryan Trimble · Rating 3 out of 5]

A succinct overview of the history of pop culture and although accessible for a college text, relatively boring and over-saturated with quotes. Describes the rise of pop culture, the developing theories which have attempted to effectively analyze popular culture, and the globalization of pop culture today. Considering the content matter, I imagine there are much more interesting books than this one out there.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this petite volume, Storey summarizes and critiques the dominant perspectives that have guided the study of popular culture since the 18th century, continually reinforcing the argument that it is the invention of elite intellectuals.

[Thai Son · Rating 1 out of 5]

Long-winded.
(Or more like I don't like the substance of the book)

[Deniz Cem Önduygu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read even though I don't agree with most of its conclusions.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for my PhD reading list. I found this book to quote A LOT from other works and I was hoping to read more of what the author had to say or more of the author’s voice.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Being near or being distant no longer organizes with whom I communicate."