The Cultural Industries

by David Hesmondhalgh

Book Overview

An undisputed classic, the Fourth Edition of this bestselling media studies text offers an unparalleled analysis of the cultural industries. Bringing together a huge range of research, theory and key... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1412908086
• ISBN13: 9781412908085
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Very refined analysis, not for those who want a quick, simple, or unrealistic analysis of cultural i

I was a bit shocked by the previous review, which says the book is a chore to read and doesn't have any answer to the questions it raises. I think the author offers an answer - cultural industries are extremely complex, and a wide range of social, cultural, and political forces are constantly shaping the cultural industries. His strategy of analysis is to broadly outline some historical trends of cultural industries; but he also adds more complexity in analyzing these trends, warning us not to reify those trends. There is no XXX-determinism in this book. Rather, it calls for more refined analysis of the cultural industries around the world. Many scholars have praised the book, and I don't think they're lying. If one wants to hold on to simplistic approaches like some hard-core versions of the political economy approach, which tend to downplay the complexity of things, s/he should avoid reading this book. But if you believe in Gramsci and the idea that culture (production, text and reception) is always in a state of struggle, this book is for you.