Black Creek Pioneer Village is a recreation of a typical crossroads community found in southern Ontario during the 1800s.
#4040498 in eBooks 1998-12-10 2012-12-05File Name: B00AKAGM1G
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Knows all the words; but can`t feel the music...By J. McdonaldThis really isnt a book suited to the general or casual reader; I`ve read a few political science and sociology books in my time; so I thought I`d be well primed for this; but I admit I rather struggled through it; which is a pity.Street does make many interesting points; there is a lot of in-depth analysis on each of the inter-related topics he highlights and his book is split into reasonably short; digestible chapters; hes clearly passionate about music; but the overall feeling is of reading a textbook.What was missing for me was anything about the experience of making music; from a musicians point of view and of how different musicians relate to the idea of the political; Street does - commendably - note the difference between lyric-based musical forms; like pop music; folk; etc.; and pure instrumental music and its power to express or embody abstract ideas that can be seen as ideological or subversive; but much of the book is taken up with historical socio-political events and groups like Rock Against Racism; Band -Aid; Woodstock et al.It seemed to me that although Street references a wide range of music throughout the book; his main focus in each chapter is really rather narrow; rarely deviating from the dominating pop music culture; which left me feeling that there was less exploration of wider aspects of the cultural and business politics that creates this domination.Perhaps my expectations of this book were unrealistic and for that reason I don`t want to give a low rating just because I didn`t engage with it; this is a book written by a political scientist and it reads as exactly that; I`m probably not amongst the readership its aimed at - for me; most of the material presented here was too dry and academic; it is probably of most use to a student of politics with a passing interest in music; rather than a musician interested in cultural politics.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Educational; Not EntertainingBy HeavyMetalManitouHumans make music and music makes us human.- Cloonan Frith; A Music Manifesto for Scotland (2011)Music and Politics (PCPC - Polity Contemporary Political Communication Series) isnt an easy book to rate. On one hand; its a thorough exploration of the ways in which music and politics affect each other (the author goes as far as to suggest theyre extensions of each other). From an academic perspective; this is a five-star book. Yet while the content is hugely educational; John Streets dry; humourless writing style hinders the books readability. I ploughed through the pages; fully aware that they were laden with valuable knowledge; but - try as I might - I couldnt get enthused about the mode of delivery. Its a safe bet that most books with the word politics in the title will be duller than dishwater; but a great writer can bring even the most boring subject to life; an example that springs to mind is Michael Lewis; whose "Boomerang ; Adventures of a Financial Disaster Tourist" describes serious events (those that caused the global economic crash) in the style of an unravelling mystery loaded with incisive observational humour. Not so with this book. Street knows his subject inside out: hes professor of politics at the University of East Anglia; so one would expect this to be the case. His writing would greatly benefit; however; from an infusion of humour and literary flair. My experience of reading this book was very much like that of eating cabbage as a child: I knew it was good for me; but I just couldnt enjoy it.Heres the synopsis:Chapters 1 and 2 deal with censorship of music; music policy and the idea (as claimed by Lord Redesdale) that live music is a human right.Chapters 3; 4 and 5 develop the concept of music as a human right; examining how music is used and perceived by citizens; and manifest in the demands they make of the state. Analysis is made of how music can articulate political ideas and organise political action (for example; Live Aid; Live 8; Rock Against Racism). These chapters argue for music as more than a mere soundtrack to politics; but as the very substance of politics. Street argues that music represents and communicates political ideas and identities; as well as mobilising movements in support of such notions.Chapter 6 looks at how music; by marking key adjuncts in history; informs political ideas and in so doing becomes history.Chapter 7 traces the connection between musical taste and political values; mapping the interplay between aesthetics and ideology.Chapter 8 argues that music is not just a matter of taste or entertainment; but also a key to understanding social order. Street contends that music is a form of political experience.Thats it in a nutshell. Music and Politics is a well-written book; but its not an entertaining one. Had John Street written it as an academic manual for his politics students; its coldly factual tone would have been appropriate. For a book aimed at the mainstream; however; it lacks both warmth and readability. Constructive criticism from a reformed cabbage hater.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Music and PoliticsBy Spider MonkeyI have to agree with other reviewers here and say `Music and Politics sounds like it should be a fascinating book exploring the relationship between the two topics; but sadly it missed the mark this time round.Maybe it is because this is based on an assortment of articles and they dont seem to gel together in one book; or maybe it is due to the rather dry academic style of writing; but something is lacking. I like a non-fiction book to well researched and referenced; but I hate it when it is extensively referenced in the actual body of the text. For example it would say "quote" [Joe Bloggs; 65] and then the rest of the sentence. This really broke up the flow of the book and quickly frustrated me. I dont know why it couldnt have just been numbered to refer you to a sources section at the back of the book.It also lacked some key musical/political events and key players that I was hoping to read more about. Instead; it used the same examples to make numerous points and whilst they were perfectly valid; it got quite tiresome.By the third chapter I found this a slog and that is coming from someone who reads non-fiction; political and academic books extensively and I also run a music website. This struggled to keep my attention and I like both topics.If you are willing to persevere with this book it does have some interesting ideas to offer; but I was relieved when I finished it and it isnt one I would to recommend in a hurry.Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.