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Rating: 
Summary: 80's Sampling Shows Deeper Truths
Review: "Post-Soul Nation..." samples high profile stories from 1979 to 1989. Each chapter covers one year and opens with a 2-3 page, relatively in depth, summary of an issue. George writes clear and concise, and covers a lot of ground in 2-3 pages. (For example, he guides from Reaganomics to crack in an amazing 1 page... like a sockless Tyson with no BS going straight at you). After each chapter's 2-3 page intro, George writes 1-2 paragraph "sample" mini-stories. Each "sample" is in order by date: A key event from January 22 is followed by February 11, then March 3, etc. The "samples" can rekindle memories of the event -- most were high profile stories at the time. Offhand, I'd say these themes appear most, in descending order; rap/hip hop (from inner cities into the suburbs), politics (black mayors, Jesse, Farrakhan), show business (Spike Lee, Eddie Murphy, Cosby, Oprah etc), writers (female especially), academia, and business.... The bigger personalities and issues (Oprah, Eddie, Aids, crack) are weaved into the mix, appearing at various points from year to year. In the broadest sense, George replays the big scenes of the 80's, with crisp and flowing language. It may be a sign that this "white boy" (me) found the book almost coincided with my "80's big picture." Add a little new wave music and some Larry Bird :-), and the picture is near complete. This partly reflects George's view that the *big name* African Americans were quite dominant in 80's culture. Another of George's themes is that, under Reaganites, inner city folks were worse off. Two possible theories are: 1)When social services and affirmative action were scaled back, whites accepted black stars more. Like, "Hey, 'they' *earned* it." Or, more likely, as George suggests, 2) major black figures were simply too good to be denied. George calls the 80's "Post-Soul Nation," meaning the 60's/70's soul-power era was over. (So the 80's is defined for what it *isn't*, its complexity reflected in the book's long title). In short, the book is great for triggering a series of flashbacks.... Then when you put it down, all those samples in your mind start to form a greater whole. Food for thought.
Rating:
Summary: 80's Sampling Shows Deeper Truths
Review: "Post-Soul Nation..." samples high profile stories from 1979 to 1989. Each chapter covers one year and opens with a 2-3 page, relatively in depth, summary of an issue. George writes clear and concise, and covers a lot of ground in 2-3 pages. (For example, he guides from Reaganomics to crack in an amazing 1 page... like a sockless Tyson with no BS going straight at you). After each chapter's 2-3 page intro, George writes 1-2 paragraph "sample" mini-stories. Each "sample" is in order by date: A key event from January 22 is followed by February 11, then March 3, etc. The "samples" can rekindle memories of the event -- most were high profile stories at the time. Offhand, I'd say these themes appear most, in descending order; rap/hip hop (from inner cities into the suburbs), politics (black mayors, Jesse, Farrakhan), show business (Spike Lee, Eddie Murphy, Cosby, Oprah etc), writers (female especially), academia, and business.... The bigger personalities and issues (Oprah, Eddie, Aids, crack) are weaved into the mix, appearing at various points from year to year. In the broadest sense, George replays the big scenes of the 80's, with crisp and flowing language. It may be a sign that this "white boy" (me) found the book almost coincided with my "80's big picture." Add a little new wave music and some Larry Bird :-), and the picture is near complete. This partly reflects George's view that the *big name* African Americans were quite dominant in 80's culture. Another of George's themes is that, under Reaganites, inner city folks were worse off. Two possible theories are: 1)When social services and affirmative action were scaled back, whites accepted black stars more. Like, "Hey, 'they' *earned* it." Or, more likely, as George suggests, 2) major black figures were simply too good to be denied. George calls the 80's "Post-Soul Nation," meaning the 60's/70's soul-power era was over. (So the 80's is defined for what it *isn't*, its complexity reflected in the book's long title). In short, the book is great for triggering a series of flashbacks.... Then when you put it down, all those samples in your mind start to form a greater whole. Food for thought.
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