For over four decades; Martin Scorsese has been the chronicler of an obsessive society; where material possessions and physical comfort are valued; where the pursuit of individual improvement is rewarded and where male prerogative is respected and preserved. Scorsese has often described his films as sociology and he has a point: his storytelling condenses complex information into comprehensible narratives about society. In this sense; he has been a guide through a dark world of nineteenth century crypto-fascism to a fetishistic twentieth century in which goods; fame; money and power are held to have magical power. Author of Tyson: Nurture of the Beast and Beckham; Ellis Cashmore turns his attention to arguably the most influential living film- maker to explore how Scorsese envisions America. Greed; manhood; the city and romantic love feature on Scorseses landscape of secular materialism. They are among the themes Cashmore argues have driven and inform Scorseses work. This is America; as seen through the eyes of Martin Scorsese and it is a deeply unpleasant place. Cashmores book discloses how; collectively; Scorseses films present an image of America. Its an image assembled from the perspectives of obsessive people; whether burned-out paramedics; compulsive entrepreneurs; tortured lovers; or celebrity-fixated comedians. Its collected from pool halls; taxicabs; boxing rings and jazz clubs. Its an image thats specific; yet ubiquitous. It is Martin Scorseses America.
#359588 in eBooks 2013-02-14 2013-04-17File Name: B00CFG9NWS
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Perfect for the beginning guitaristBy I. McMillanI am an absolute beginner; and starting late at that (just turned 34); and this book has given me a great measure of confidence to be able to play the guitar. I am already familiar with most of the songs in the book ; so that is helpful; but if theyre not familiar you can just look them up; most are very simple melodies and easy to catch on to. I hope to one day be very advanced beyond this book; but as a beginner it is incredibly helpful.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good; useful song bookBy Paul A. SpanglerThis has been a useful resource. Im not familiar with all the songs but for the ones I do recognize its been good to follow the sheet music as I learn guitar. They have plenty of songs to learn and Im hoping there will be more of this type of book coming out soon. The 4 Chord book is also good.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The product arrived on time and is as described.By KomericanThe product arrived on time and is as described. More details: A bit simple after two weeks as an adult trying to learn the guitar for church for the first time. Nevertheless; this really helps the average Joe to get the guitar going with a busy schedule also in life. I found the company offers a 7-chord version of a guitar book that increases that good feeling of creativity.