ZOOT SUIT (n.): the ultimate in clothes. The only totally and truly American civilian suit.mdash;Cab Calloway; The Hepsters Dictionary; 1944Before the fashion statements of hippies; punks; or hip-hop; there was the zoot suit; a striking urban look of the World War II era that captivated the imagination. Created by poor African American men and obscure tailors; the "drape shape" was embraced by Mexican American pachucos; working-class youth; entertainers; and swing dancers; yet condemned by the U.S. government as wasteful and unpatriotic in a time of war. The fashion became notorious when it appeared to trigger violence and disorder in Los Angeles in 1943mdash;events forever known as the "zoot suit riot." In its wake; social scientists; psychiatrists; journalists; and politicians all tried to explain the riddle of the zoot suit; transforming it into a multifaceted symbol: to some; a sign of social deviance and psychological disturbance; to others; a gesture of resistance against racial prejudice and discrimination. As controversy swirled at home; young men in other placesmdash;French zazous; South African tsotsi; Trinidadian saga boys; and Russian stiliagimdash;made the American zoot suit their own.In Zoot Suit; historian Kathy Peiss explores this extreme fashion and its mysterious career during World War II and after; as it spread from Harlem across the United States and around the world. She traces the unfolding history of this style and its importance to the youth who adopted it as their uniform; and at the same time considers the way public figures; experts; political activists; and historians have interpreted it. This outreacute; style was a turning point in the way we understand the meaning of clothing as an expression of social conditions and power relations. Zoot Suit offers a new perspective on youth culture and the politics of style; tracing the seam between fashion and social action.
#2016351 in eBooks 2013-07-02 2013-07-02File Name: B00C3BNLWI
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Complete with lyrics; chords and guitar notesBy Frank BeeckmanOther included songs not mentioned in the product description:Day TripperDrive My CarThe EndHey BuldogI feel FineI Want To Hold Your HandLove Me DoShe Came In Through The WindowShe Said She SaidTaxmanThere are a total of 25 songs in this book of 128 pages. I cant see how one would not like this book; unless one is a completist and wants the complete Beatles. The Beatles made a total of 275 songs. Putting 275 songs in one book would result in a fat; heavy and unwieldy 1;408 pages (= 128 x 11)! This book of "only" 25 songs is easier to handle; and its got some of their better songs. Unlike a 1;408 page mammoth sized book; if this book were to fall on your toes; theyll still be safe. I would hate to play with steel toed boots.... ;-)3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Awesome song book for my 5 year old who plays ...By Mom of 2Awesome song book for my 5 year old who plays drums! Notes are mostly what he has learned but some new challenging notes too. Great for a semi beginner player. He had been reading and playing drum notes now for a year; if that helps.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy fothgillMy grandson loved it