What is "hip?" That question is pondered by current New York Times reporter (and former music critic and editor of Details magazine) John Leland, who views the concept through a prism of race relations (among other factors) throughout American history.
Critic Reviews
|
Outstanding
|
Library Journal Carol J. Binkowski
Although books on individual aspects of hip have appeared before, Leland may be the first to look at the big, complex picture. [1 Sep 2004, p.173]
|
|
Favorable
|
Booklist Mike Tribby
Throughout, his crisp assessments and nicely referenced observations keep the theoretical aspects of his chronicle from detracting from the fun of the subject matter. [1 Oct 2004, p.287]
|
|
Favorable
|
Boston Globe Renee Graham
In ways both entertaining and enlightening, Leland finds the abstract essence of a uniquely American construct weaving a fascinating path though music, criminals, and literature.
|
|
Favorable
|
Publishers Weekly
The breadth and sophistication of his argument is admirable, but it wouldn't be as convincing without his engaging tone, which shuns condescension to invite readers into a genial conversation. [16 Aug 2004, p.51]
|
|
Favorable
|
San Francisco Chronicle Jennie Yabroff
An entertaining and lucid examination.
|
|
Favorable
|
The Onion A.V. Club Nathan Rabin
Engaging but flawed.
|
|
Favorable
|
Village Voice Luc Sante
Leland is a fluid writer, capable of unfurling a nice phrase, able to walk a very thin line in writing dispassionately about hip without coming off as an embalmer.
|
|
Mixed
|
Washington Post John Strausbaugh
Hip: The History is an impressive achievement -- thorough, exhaustively researched and eventually a bit exhausting.
|
|
Mixed
|
The New York Times Ben McGrath
What is lost in the breadth of this coverage... is any kind of lasting, drawn-out illustration of hip (or its opposite) at work.
|
|
Mixed
|
The New York Times Book Review David Kamp
There are crackling bits, but there are also passages of dissertationish slog.
|
|
Mixed
|
The New Yorker
Too often, Leland gets bogged down attempting to tie everything together.
|
|
Mixed
|
Kirkus Reviews
His prose is more reminiscent of terminally unhip David Brooks than of edgier critic-provocateurs who've previously explored this territory, like Thomas Frank, Lester Bangs, or Nick Tosches. [15 Aug 2004, p.791]
|
|
Mixed
|
Los Angeles Times Herbert Gold
His meditation is full of anecdote, nostalgia and an approximation of understanding. [17 Oct 2004, p.R8]
|
|
