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The Schwarzenegger Syndrome: Celebrity and Cruelty in American Politics
by Gary Indiana
Product Group: Book
Publisher: The New Press (2005-07-07)
ISBN: 1565849515
EAN: 9781565849518
Dewy Decimal #: 306.20973090511
Hardcover: 140 pages
SKU: B319-1170
Condition: New
Comments: New & Shrinkwrapped. In stock - Immediate despatch from an efficient and professional leading British bookselling firm.
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Customer Reviews
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Giving this book one star is being generous
Rating  (1)
Date: 2008-10-17
I was thoroughly disappointed by this unoriginal diatribe masquerading itself as a thoughtful look on the state of Californian politics. I bought this book expecting it to be, while not completely neutral, at least a somewhat objective look on the cult of celebrity in Californian politics. Instead, what we get is just personal attacks on G.W. Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Republicans in general but with no substance or solid argument put forward outlining what the major cases against their political existence are. I am no fan of the Republicans myself, but the unoriginal bitchiness of this book is beyond the pale.
Another issue I had with this book was the abundant of crude language. While I don't see myself as a prude, I don't think analogies that involve penises and semen is particularly welcome in book about politics. Admittedly, this was my first experience of reading anything from this author, so I wasn't aware of his writing style prior to buying this book.
Anyone wanting a serious analysis of Californian politics like I did, this is not the book for you. If you want to read a book from someone who clearly has more of a personal (rather than political) vendetta against Republican figures and has put together a superficial book of half-baked ideas that resembles a propaganda piece rather than a thoughtful analysis, then you may be interested.
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Politics and celebrity in the age of contempt
Rating  (4)
Date: 2006-08-16
This is the first book I've read by Gary Indiana but one of many I've read recently on American politics. I would recommend this to any readers with an interest in contemporary trends in American politics, particularly Californian culture and the cult of celebrity. I have enjoyed this book far more than many other investigative commentaries on the subject.
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