EXCITING LOOK AT POPULAR CULTURE AND HISTORY IN THE 1900s

(PRWEB) September 12, 2002

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 12, 2002

PRESS INQUIRIES/READINGS/BOOK REVIEW CONTACT: Bob Batchelor, (415) 455-8463 or via email at bob@bobbatchelor.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 11, 2002 – Bob Batchelor’s first book, The 1900s (Greenwood Press, 2002), part of the 16-book “American Popular Culture Through History” series, shows how the first decade of the twentieth century served as the cornerstone for the rest of the century.

The 1900s contains thematic chapters that examine everything from the daily life of children to advertising and sports to literature and modern dance, art, and sculpture. The book covers the 1900-1910 era, one of the most underappreciated, but pivotal, decades in American history.

Thomas Heinrich, Baruch College, and author of Ships for the Seven Seas: Philadelphia Shipbuilding in the Age of Industrial Capitalism (Johns Hopkins, 1997), says, ““Bob Batchelor’s The 1900s captures the spirit of America at the turn of the century. Batchelor shows the period as a critical foundation for the rest of the century, setting the tone in industry, politics, and culture.”

“Fantastic,” says Slippery Rock Area High School Social Studies teacher Chris Burtch. “I am constantly looking for sources that are interesting but are also ‘good’ history to use as resources for the lessons I prepare and as supplementary materials for my students. This book is without question the best thing I have ever come across in my 10-plus years as an American History teacher. Anyone interested in learning about a very understudied decade in American History need look no further than Mr. Batchelor’s book.”

While most historical studies bury us in wars and politics, paying scant attention to the everyday effects of popular culture. The 1900s welcomes readers to America’s other history—the arts, activities, lifestyles, and popular opinions that profoundly impacted our national way of life. Providing an exciting picture of American life at the dawn of the 20th century, this volume covers:

-Innovations in technology, such as the airplane and the automobile

-The advent of "modern" architecture

-The proliferation of advertising aimed at the new middle class

-Fads, games, sports, and hobbies

-Changes in fashion and cuisine

This book also features the burgeoning of the arts, including the school of realism and naturalism in literature, the first truly American music—jazz—and the new performing art that played to American tastes: vaudeville. Students will find this book a handy reference work, while history buffs will enjoy the detailed look at a vastly underappreciated time in American history. More than 40 photographs from the period illuminate the text.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BOB BATCHELOR is an award-winning business writer and historian. Trained at the University of Pittsburgh and Kent State University, he lives with his wife, Katherine, in San Rafael, CA.

The author of more than 300 articles and essays, Batchelor has two books coming out next year a corporate history of Kimberly-Clark, the maker of Kleenex and many other important consumer products, and a book of original essays on the history of modern basketball, ranging from today’s high school players to Michael Jordan, titled: Basketball in America: From the Playgrounds to Jordan’s Game and Beyond. His essays have been featured recently on the Web site of The American Prospect magazine (http://www.prospect.org) and PopPolitics.com.

For more information, please see: http://www.bobbatchelor.com.

ABOUT GREENWOOD

The Greenwood Publishing Group is one of the world's leading publishers of academic monographs, reference titles (for university, public, and school libraries), college texts, journals, professional books, and electronic resources. With over 18,000 titles in print, GPG publishes some 800 titles each year, many of which are recognized with annual awards from Choice, Library Journal, The American Library Association, and various scholarly and professional organizations.

Through our wide range of imprints and an impressive variety of publications we seek to comprehensively serve the scholarly, library, student, and professional communities. For more information, visit http://www.greenwood.com.

PRESS INQUIRIES/READINGS/BOOK REVIEW CONTACT: Bob Batchelor, (415) 455-8463 or via email at bob@bobbatchelor.com