| Description |
xxv, 307 pages ; 24 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
Reaching the top of the shelf: discovering a century of bestsellers -- Birth of the bestseller : The 1890s to the 1930s -- The 1940s : All the books fit to sell -- The 1950s : Cold War anxiety: from Holden Caulfield to James Bond -- The 1960s : New frontiers: from Harper Lee to Kurt Vonnegut -- The 1970s : The age of narcissism -- The 1980s: The rise of the superstar author -- The 1990s : Means of ascent: publisher consolidation, superstores, and the Internet -- The 2000s : E-books and the new millennium -- The 2010s : James Patterson Inc. and the soul of America. |
| Summary |
"Whether curled up on a sofa with a good mystery, lounging by the pool with a steamy romance, or brooding over a classic novel, Americans love to read. Despite the distractions of modern living, nothing quite satisfies many individuals more than a really good book. And regardless of how one accesses that book -- through a tablet, a smart phone, or a good, old-fashioned hardcover -- those choices have been tallied for decades. In Bestseller: A Century of America's Favorite Books, Robert McParland looks at the reading tastes of a nation from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day. Through extensive research, McParland provides context for the literature that appealed to the masses, from low-brow potboilers like Forever Amber to Pulitzer-Prize winners such as To Kill a Mockingbird. Decade by decade, McParland discusses the books that resonated with the American public and shows how current events and popular culture shaped the reading habits of millions. Profiles of authors with frequent appearances -- from Ernest Hemingway to Danielle Steel -- are included, along with standout titles that readers return to year after year. A snapshot of America and its love of reading through the decades, this volume informs and entertains while also providing a handy reference of the country's most popular books. For those wanting to learn more about the history of American culture through its reading habits, Bestseller: A Century of America's Favorite Books is a must-read." -- goodreads.com. |
| Subject(S) |
Best sellers -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Best sellers -- United States -- History -- 21st century.
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Books and reading -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Books and reading -- United States -- History -- 21st century.
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| ISBN |
9781538109991 (hardcover) |
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1538109999 (hardcover) |
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