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Dancing In The Streets

A History Of Collective Joy
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( 1,511 ratings, 266 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
i>Dancing In The Streets by Barbara Ehrenreich explores the historical and cultural significance of communal celebrations and festivities. It delves into how humans have used ecstatic gatherings, like carnivals and public revelries, to create collective joy and solidarity. The book examines the tensions between spontaneous expressions of joy and societal control, providing a rich analysis of our social history.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this exploration of the cultural history of collective joy, as it delves into how people across different societies have expressed communal happiness through festivals, music, and dance. The author provides insightful analysis on the social and political impacts of these gatherings, making it a fascinating read for anyone interested in the intersection of culture and social behaviour.

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This book explores the common characteristics of the communal celebrations displayed by cultures from all parts of the world and throughout history.

'Dancing in the Streets is a genuine triumph of popular critical scholarship - the punchy elegance of [Ehrenreich's] prose makes this an essential purchase' Independent

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Ehrenreich uncovers the origins of communal celebration in human biology and culture. She discovers that the same elements come up in every human culture throughout history: a love of masking, carnival, music-making and dance.

Although sixteenth-century Europeans began to view mass festivities as foreign and savage, Ehrenreich shows that they were indigenous to the West, from the ancient Greeks' worship of Dionysus to the medieval practices of Christianity as a danced religion.

Exhilarating in its scholarly range, humane, witty and impassioned, Dancing in the Streets will generate debate and soul searching.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Dancing in the Streets by Barbara Ehrenreich receives praise for its engaging and insightful exploration of the history of mass celebrations and their cultural significance. It artfully combines witty prose with scholarly depth, offering a lively yet thoughtful account of how these communal festivities have been both celebrated and suppressed throughout history. The book also provides a critical reflection on contemporary societal issues related to these traditions.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781847080080

Publisher: Granta Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 May 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Granta Books

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 232g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Barbara Ehrenreich is the author of fourteen books, including the bestselling Nickel and Dimed and Bait and Switch. She lives in New York State.

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