A to Z of Mod

by Martin Freeman (Introduction), Paolo Hewitt, Mark Baxter

This brilliantly illustrated book is a visual compendium on Mod style. For some Mod means a way of life: London clubs and Lambrettas, cigarettes and speed. For others it's clothes: trim suits, sunglasses and loafers. Combining style savvy with cultural anthropology, this guide to the many aspects of Mods takes an alphabetical approach to the most enduring youth cults. Beginning with A bout de souffle and ending with Zoot Money, authors and Mod experts Paolo Hewitt and Mark Baxter touch on every facet of the fad. Entries such as Eel Pie Island, Otis Redding, Mary Quant, and Ready Steady Go give intriguing background information, history and facts, while colorful illustrations bring Mod style to life. Style hounds, pop music fans, and Anglophiles of all ages will be entertained and inspired by this book that proves that, while "mod"-ernism has gone through several phases, it's never gone out of style.

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2012

About the author

Martin Freeman is an English actor, known for portraying Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit film trilogy, Tim Canterbury in the original UK version of sitcom mockumentary The Office (2001), Dr. John Watson in the British crime drama Sherlock (2010) and Lester Nygaard in the dark comedy-crime drama TV series Fargo (2014).

His other notable film roles include the romantic comedy Love Actually (2003) and the comic science fiction film The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005).

Reviews

[Deirdre Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paolo Hewitt and Mark Baxter have produced an essential guide to the Mod aesthetic, packing it with names, dates, little known facts and of course photographs galore of the fashion that defined a major pop movement. The cut lines are often amusing, adding to the book's feel as an encyclopedia of cool for hipsters loath to take themselves too seriously. A special treat is the inclusion of an essential Mod listening guide, a list of the top 100 R & B records as compiled by a Mod-ster who gets his due in this small but substantive book.

[Ann Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent pictures - have learnt a lot

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance "A To Z of Mod" looks just like a gift book that one would put near the register, but alas its a tad more than that. This is actually a pretty good general introduction to the Mod aesthetic and its people. Paolo Hewitt and Mark Baxter did a good job with the text, but even more important the images in this book is pretty great. One wished it was in a larger format, but alas the world we live in is never perfect. But it does give the key clothing figures as well as brands that makes the everyday Mod happy, and also equally important the major figures that made this movement happen. So as you read the book you realize that this is a well-thought out little (in size) volume of what is essential for one's knowledge about Mod culture. A good book for the quick reference if you need, but if you are a die-haed Mod, this book is not really for you - but more for your friend or family member who thinks you are weird. For me the Mod is perhaps the most nobel individual on this planet. Anything dandy related is better than the non-dandy world.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much else like it, so it's hard not to love.

[J.L. Flores · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buenas imágenes e incluye el soul, mala historia y mucho cliché. Corazón dividido 2.5 Estrellitas.