Rowman & Littlefield Publishers The Culture Industry Revisited: Theodor W. Adorno on Mass Culture

As the culture wars continue to dominate newspaper headlines and conference panels, much of the debate revolves around the value and values of popular culture. Many opponents of mass culture have cited Theodor Adorno, one of the leading figures of the Frankfurt School of critical theorists. Adorno is understood to have viewed mass culture as completely commodified that is, produced only to be sold on the market, and without aesthetic value. In this compelling book, Deborah Cook critically examines this view and argues persuasively that even in Adorno's "pessimistic" theory, mass culture can be understood as potentially liberating. Beginning with an exploration of the theoretical background for Adorno's work, Cook then examines Adorno's conception and criticism of mass culture and its consumption, and his views about art and its relation to mass culture. The first booklength treatment in English of Adorno's work on popular culture, "The Culture Industry Revisited" provides new readers of Adorno with an understanding of his theory and an overview of his more important critics. Those more familiar with Adorno will find important discussion of some of the more controversial ideas and themes in his work. The book should be of interest to scholars and upperlevel students of philosophy, sociology, literature, communications and cultural studies.