H.W. Wilson Publishes Celebrity Culture in the
United States
Timely New Reference Shelf Volume Examines the Roots and
Impact of America's Fascination with Celebrity
New York, New York, February 8, 2008
The H.W. Wilson Company today announced Celebrity Culture in
the United States, a new work in its popular Reference Shelf
book series. This is a timely examination of America's enthrallment
with celebrity and the nation's unique stew of celebrity, from our
peculiar fascination with stars in meltdown such as Britney Spears,
to the rise of oddballs via the internet such as Chris "Leave
Britney Alone" Crocker, to the phenomenon of "famous for being
famous" as epitomized by Paris Hilton.
Why do we care so much about the famous? And since
we clearly do care, why do we revel so much in celebrity downfall?
The volume delves into the heart of these questions, for a greater
understanding of both ourselves and the strange celebrity culture we
have created.
The first section, "The Cult of Celebrity,"
considers the broader aspects of American celebrity culture: its
roots and its evolution into the scene we know today. Section two,
"Celebrity Activism and American Politics," explores the blurring of
star-power with politics and activism, as manifested in the rise of
performers to elected office, celebrity "crusades," the rise to
star-status of lifelong politicians, and the effects of all this on
both government and entertainment. The third section, "The Price of
Fame," examines the considerable toll that the spotlight takes on
the famous, as well as celebrity worship's imprint on public tastes.
A final section, "The Democratization of Celebrity," explores the
effect of the Internet and reality tv on our concept of celebrity.
Celebrity Culture in the United States is
the first title of six to be released in The Reference Shelf 2008
(Volume 80). Each book in the Reference Shelf series offers
extensive exploration of a topic of importance in modern society, in
a compilation of notable articles from respected publications,
abstracts of 20 to 30 additional articles, and a bibliography of
other sources. Volume 80 includes Celebrity Culture in the United
States, Water Supply (April 2008), U.S. National Debate Topic
2008-2009: Alternative Energy (June), The American Presidency
(August), The Next Space Age (October), and Representative
American Speeches 2007-2008 (December).
Review copies of Reference Shelf volumes are
available for members of the press. Read more about
The Reference Shelf.
Contact:
Roseward Sky
Phone (800)
367-6770, x2272
Email:
rsky@hwwilson.com
Frank Daly
Phone: (800) 367-6770, x2312
Email: fdaly@hwwilson.com
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