Pop Culture Germany!

For students, travelers, and general readers, this volume introduces modern German culture, including lifestyle, art, entertainment, television, music, and film. Not only focusing on pop culture, Fraser (German, Indiana U., Bloomington) and Hoffmann (German studies, Colgate U.) discuss the ambivalent attitude Germans have toward their country and past; idiosyncrasies in language, gestures, stereotypes, symbols, and sexuality; political, legal, and social structures; and social aspects such as lifestyle, fashion, youth culture, gender equality, multiculturalism, and food. Leisure activities are described, followed by media, performing arts, visual arts and architecture, and production and consumption information. Coverage spans the postwar years, time of rebellion, and the present post-unification era, but is supplemented by information on history. The authors include impressions and attitudes from magazines, papers, and individuals, as well as facts, which are related through alphabetical listings of terms in the "From A to Z" sections at the end of each chapter. Annotation c2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Catherine C. Fraser is professor of German and language coordinator at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

Dierk O. Hoffmann is professor of German studies at Colgate University, Hamilton, NY.