The Lively Audience: A Social History of the Visual and Performing Arts in America, 1890-1950 (New American Nations Series) - Softcover

This latest contribution to Harper's series proves disappointing. It is not, first of all, what it purports to bea social history of the arts. Yes, Lynes occasionally discusses ``the audience'' and ``the public,'' but basically this is a traditional recitation of artists, movements, and institutions, with only limited perspective on the social context. Moreover, Lynes frequently strays into recent decades with opinionated asides that detract from the validity of his judgments about the years 1890-1950. Finally, for a book in a series about the American nation, Lynes's work is quite narrowly focused on the cultural capital of the country to the exclusion of many significant developments in the provinces. Charles K. Piehl, Director of Grants Management, Mankato State Univ., Minn.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.