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Mean Girl

Ayn Rand and the Culture of Greed
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( 345 ratings, 73 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
Mean Girl by Lisa Duggan offers a critical exploration of conservative media and its impact by examining the life and influence of right-wing media figure Ann Coulter. The book delves into how Coulter's provocative style and rhetoric have been instrumental in shaping and reflecting contemporary political culture. Duggan provides insight into the broader implications of her persona within American politics and society.
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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 book if you're interested in exploring the intersection of politics, pop culture, and neoliberalism through the lens of influential figures. It delves into the ways in which cultural icons can shape and reflect contemporary societal changes, making it a fascinating read for those curious about modern U.S. history and its cultural dynamics.

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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

"Astute."—New York Times

Ayn Rand’s complicated notoriety as a popular writer, leader of a political and philosophical cult, reviled intellectual, and ostentatious public figure endured beyond her death in 1982. In the twenty-first century, she has been resurrected as a serious reference point for mainstream figures, especially those on the political right from Paul Ryan to Donald Trump.

Mean Girl follows Rand’s trail through the twentieth century, from the Russian Revolution to the Cold War, and traces her posthumous appeal and the influence of her novels via her cruel, surly, sexy heroes. Outlining the impact of Rand’s philosophy of selfishness, Mean Girl illuminates the Randian shape of our neoliberal, contemporary culture of greed and the dilemmas we face in our political present.

Series: American Studies Now: Critical Histories of the Present

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  • Mean Girl
    "Astute."—New York Times Ayn Rand’s complicated notoriety as a popular writer, leader of a political and philosophical cult, reviled intellectual, and ostentatious public figure endured beyond her death in 1982. In the twenty-first century, she has been resurrected as a serious reference point for mainstream figures, especially those on the political right from Paul Ryan to Donald Trump. Mean Girl...
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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?

Lisa Duggan's Mean Girl offers a sharp, engaging analysis of Ayn Rand, capturing her profound influence on contemporary culture with humour and insight. Reviews highlight Duggan's ability to condense Rand's philosophy and ideological impact into a concise narrative that contextualises the lasting effects of Rand's work on modern capitalist ethos. This book is praised for its wit and relevance, being described as necessary reading for those interested in cultural and political history, with Duggan’s commentary offering a fresh perspective on Rand's life and legacy.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780520294776

Publisher: University of California Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 May 2019

Country: United States

Imprint: University of California Press

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 227g

Pages: 136

About the Author

Lisa Duggan is a historian, journalist, activist, and Professor of Social and Cultural Analysis at New York University. She is the author of The Twilight of Equality? Neoliberalism, Cultural Politics, and the Attack on Democracy.

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