Steven Watts Livres

How a Michigan farm boy became the richest man in America is a classic, almost mythic tale, but never before has Henry Ford’s outsized genius been brought to life so vividly as it is in this engaging and superbly researched biography. The real Henry Ford was a tangle of contradictions. He set off the consumer revolution by producing a car affordable to the masses, all the while lamenting the moral toll exacted by consumerism. He believed in giving his workers a living wage, though he was entirely opposed to union labor. He had a warm and loving relationship with his wife, but sired a son with another woman. A rabid anti-Semite, he nonetheless embraced African American workers in the era of Jim Crow. Uncovering the man behind the myth, situating his achievements and their attendant controversies firmly within the context of early twentieth-century America, Watts has given us a comprehensive, illuminating, and fascinating biography of one of America’s first mass-culture celebrities.

Exploring the duality of a cultural icon, this book offers a blend of biography and cultural analysis focused on "Uncle Walt." It delves into Disney's private life, examining his relationships as a husband, father, and brother, while also providing insights into his complex psyche. Through this investigation, readers gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the magic and the cultural impact he had.

Gorgeous young women, extravagant mansion parties, and the hedonistic pursuit of uninhibited sex evoke the name Hugh Hefner. From launching Playboy magazine to his television hit The Girls Next Door, Hefner has long attracted public attention and controversy. Historian Steven Watts explores how Hefner, a socially astute yet morally unconventional figure, evolved into a catalyst for cultural change. With unprecedented access, Watts traces Hefner's journey from his Methodist upbringing to the launch of Playboy in 1953 and beyond, revealing his ambition to challenge social norms. Hefner's influence is evident in four key cultural upheavals that reshaped postwar America: he played a pivotal role in the sexual revolution, advocated for consumer culture, transformed popular culture, and became a controversial figure in the women's rights movement. Despite promoting women's sexual freedom, he faced criticism from feminists who saw him as a symbol of male dominance. Watts provides insights into Hefner's personal contradictions—the pleasure seeker and workaholic, romantic and party host, simple life lover and Hollywood elite. Through anecdotes from the Playboy Mansions, this narrative illustrates how one provocative idea and passion for his work changed modern history. The book spans Hefner's life, contextualizing his work within American culture from the mid-twentieth century onward, and includes over 50 photos, including a fold-out c

Focusing on the cultural connections of Charles Brockden Brown's life and writings, this study offers a fresh perspective on his often-overlooked works alongside his well-known novels from the late 1790s. By analyzing genre and chronology, it uncovers broader ties between Brown's literature and early American society. The author emphasizes the interplay of text, context, and self, highlighting how these elements influence each other. The work also addresses the "social history of ideas," illustrating how language's form and content are grounded in real-life experiences.

Exploring the life of Will Rogers, this biography highlights his journey from the Cherokee Indian Territory to becoming a prominent figure in early 20th-century media and entertainment. Renowned for his folksy humor and relatable wit, Rogers connected with audiences through various platforms, including vaudeville, radio, and film. His ability to resonate with ordinary people, while befriending influential figures, positioned him as a symbol of common sense and decency, helping Americans navigate the complexities of modern life with laughter and reflection.

This is not just another standard biography of the youthful president JFK. By examining Kennedy in the context of certain books, movies, social critiques, music, and cultural discussions that framed his ascendancy, Watts shows us the sense of possibility, the optimism and aspirations, that... číst celé