Hollywood War Machine: U.S. Militarism and Popular Culture

by Carl Boggs

"Opinionated and witty." Terrell Carver, University of Bristol and author of Engels: A Very Short Introduction "A critical cultural chronicle of postwar American political history. Engaging and penetrating." Jan Nederveen Pieterse, University of Illinois In this unique book, the authors provide a hard-hitting, radical critique of the growing culture of American militarism, focusing on the post-Cold War years. Analyzed in historical context and drawing on a broad mix of theoretical, political, and cultural sources, The Hollywood War Machine explores the U.S. film industry and its deepening impact on the popular and political culture. Through the lens of filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Jonathan Mostrow, Edward Zwick, Tony Scott, and John Woo, the volume deconstructs the narratives and images of nearly 200 combat and war-related movies, along with related consumer fare such as television and video games, in the context of the permanent war economy, security state, recurrent military interventions abroad, and the expansion of U.S. global power. Topics include cinematic representations of terrorism, the return of "good war" motifs, the phenomenon of disguised militarism, the relationship between cinema and technowar, depictions of the Gulf War and the current war in Iraq, and general media spectacles of warfare as well as unique perspectives on films related to World War II, the Cold War, and Vietnam.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2006

About the author

Carl Boggs is Professor of Social Sciences at National University in Los Angeles. He is the author of Gramsci's Marxism; The Politics of Eurocommunism (with David Plotke); The Impasse of European Communism; The Two Revolutions: Gramsci and the Crisis of Western Marxism; and Social Movements and Political Power.

Reviews

[Sheehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well the book was good and lefty for sure...

Essentially it pointed out the many ways in which films have historically used certain types of hero narratives, hyper-militarism, seductive technological weaponry, and "othering" of groups to promote a pronounced patriotism devoid of discussion about consequences of war-making. There was good deal about American exceptionalisms as well, how we are somehow different and thusly above criticism for our actions; never wrong, nor accountable to a common standard...harbingers of empire.

The argument was sound, the films it covered were pretty obvious (but enjoyable) and some of the chapters appeared to almost verbatim repeat points made earlier. On the whole, worth reading if you are into movies and wanted to understand how they can promote a war-footing to an increasing imperial population.

[Charles Chau · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my paper, this book highlighted very key events during the time period of WWII. The Hollywood War Machine is a phrase given by people during the times and currently. It speaks of how Hollywood is an actually a machine something that the U.S. government or military is able to use to influences the social life of Americans. In the book, it brings to light times in which the gov. or military have done so. I recommend this book for anyone interested in Hollywood or even influenced by media.

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huh miten asenteellinen kirja. Mutta toisaalta en osannut eri mieltäkään olla mistään, vaikka aluksi mieli teki. Lopussa taisin olla aivopesty. No ei, näin mä oon aina sotaelokuvat nähnytkin, ei oo koskaan uponnut ja loppujen lopuksi useimmista kirjan elokuvista tuttua olikin vain nimi - tai ainakaan ei ollut jäänyt mieleen oikein minkään arvoisina.