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canadiantiquarian's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
The best way to get a handle on the abstract ideas and people of the past is to dig into the contemporary writing of their time. This collection is a fascinating time capsule that documents a rapidly changing world, from race and economy to the quest to bring a modern art gallery to NYC or how technology will advance in the future. It’s a portrait of what was coming, which has now long-been.
But considering some comments here, it would’ve been great to have a collection with some context of the writer and their topic. Perhaps then someone wouldn’t be only guessing Dorothy Parker has passed, or skipping unfamiliar names and only reading the still-famous.
But considering some comments here, it would’ve been great to have a collection with some context of the writer and their topic. Perhaps then someone wouldn’t be only guessing Dorothy Parker has passed, or skipping unfamiliar names and only reading the still-famous.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
A special thank you to Penguin First to Read for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Vanity Fair, the modern and dazzling magazine of the Jazz Age—and celebration of its 100th anniversary, delivers a remarkable anthology from 1913 to 1936, showcasing an impressive lineup of the “best of the best” creative and talented literary icons of this era.
The Golden Age is so exciting and glamorous as well as tragic. From the highs to the lows—of the Roaring 20’s, the glitz, wealth, fashion, art, music, romance, sports, nightlife to the depression, addiction, drugs, stock crash, war, suffrage and Prohibition.
As a lover of this era, and Gatsby, am quite intrigued and fascinated with the legendary writers (especially F. Scott Fitzgerald and T.S. Eliot) and other contributors which captured the essence of this time; an adventure, and a changing era as we relive a time rich in history.
Bohemians, Bootleggers, Flappers and Swells: The Best of Vanity Fair offers an impressive lineup of contributors as well a collection of poems, essays, and profiles broken down by year for a thought-provoking read, not to rush, but to ponder and reflect.
An absorbing read for literary lovers everywhere, and those who appreciate the talents, humor, and insights (even cynical, controversial, and scandalous at times) of those courageous enough to convey their thoughts, dreams, and hopes for a better future. The collection is well laid out, with a brief summary of each contributor at the end.
I am enjoying many of the new books out today exploring and capturing the details of important times and commentary of historic authors with "books about books", and "books about writers"; with new insights into the depth of their writing to create awareness and meaning for this generation and those to follow.
A beautifully packaged and entertaining collection of the finest pieces and topics in the Jazz Age. Vanity Fair, a magazine predicting which cultural forces would leave a lasting mark, and pushing boundaries from men’s rites to women’s rights, to the destructive fascination with the entertainment industry and our addiction to organized sports.
Seventy-two of which are collected, focusing on how Americans, especially New Yorkers in confronting the Machine Age, radical art, urbanization, communism, Fascism, globalization (epitomized by a World War), and the battle of the sexes, were coping with the growing pains of a new phenomenon: modern life. Well Done!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
Vanity Fair, the modern and dazzling magazine of the Jazz Age—and celebration of its 100th anniversary, delivers a remarkable anthology from 1913 to 1936, showcasing an impressive lineup of the “best of the best” creative and talented literary icons of this era.
The Golden Age is so exciting and glamorous as well as tragic. From the highs to the lows—of the Roaring 20’s, the glitz, wealth, fashion, art, music, romance, sports, nightlife to the depression, addiction, drugs, stock crash, war, suffrage and Prohibition.
As a lover of this era, and Gatsby, am quite intrigued and fascinated with the legendary writers (especially F. Scott Fitzgerald and T.S. Eliot) and other contributors which captured the essence of this time; an adventure, and a changing era as we relive a time rich in history.
Bohemians, Bootleggers, Flappers and Swells: The Best of Vanity Fair offers an impressive lineup of contributors as well a collection of poems, essays, and profiles broken down by year for a thought-provoking read, not to rush, but to ponder and reflect.
An absorbing read for literary lovers everywhere, and those who appreciate the talents, humor, and insights (even cynical, controversial, and scandalous at times) of those courageous enough to convey their thoughts, dreams, and hopes for a better future. The collection is well laid out, with a brief summary of each contributor at the end.
I am enjoying many of the new books out today exploring and capturing the details of important times and commentary of historic authors with "books about books", and "books about writers"; with new insights into the depth of their writing to create awareness and meaning for this generation and those to follow.
A beautifully packaged and entertaining collection of the finest pieces and topics in the Jazz Age. Vanity Fair, a magazine predicting which cultural forces would leave a lasting mark, and pushing boundaries from men’s rites to women’s rights, to the destructive fascination with the entertainment industry and our addiction to organized sports.
Seventy-two of which are collected, focusing on how Americans, especially New Yorkers in confronting the Machine Age, radical art, urbanization, communism, Fascism, globalization (epitomized by a World War), and the battle of the sexes, were coping with the growing pains of a new phenomenon: modern life. Well Done!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
mwgerard's review against another edition
5.0
Please read my full review here: http://mwgerard.com/books-for-bathtub-gin-drinkers/
kjboldon's review against another edition
2.0
Received as a gift a few years ago. This would be good as a bathroom book--some of the pieces were fun, but the overall to e of arch commentary on the foibles of the rich left a bad taste in my mouth.
msand3's review against another edition
5.0
The list of contributors in this anthology of early Vanity Fair pieces is long and illustrious: Dorthy Parker, P.G. Wodehouse, Thomas Wolfe, Jean Cocteau, Djuna Barnes, Carl Sandburg, Aldous Huxley, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Theodore Dreiser, D.H. Lawrence, Gertrude Stein, Thomas Mann, Langston Hughes, ee cummings, F. Scott Fitzgerlad, Noël Coward, T.S. Eliot, Ford Madox Ford, Sherwood Anderson, Bertrand Russell, etc. The essays provide a wide-ranging and fascinating glimpse into America as a rising cultural and political powerhouse between the wars: profiles of Harpo Marx, Babe Ruth, James Joyce, Joan Crawford, and August Strindberg; essays on film, Broadway, and the Met; examinations of topics as diverse as the market crash, expats, jet setters, aerial dogfighters of WWI, the history of jazz, the sexual revolution, and the newest football rule changes (a must-read!).
Highlights for me included Thomas Mann's gushing love letter to film (and the unforgettable image of him crying in the lobby after The Big Parade), Walter Winchell's "Primer of Broadway Slang," ("A 'kootch' or 'hootchie kootchie dancer' is a 'torso tosser,' a 'thigh grinder,' or a 'hip-flipper'..."), and Dorothy Parker's brilliant "Hate Songs" that satirize everything from dull husbands to the offices of Vanity Fair. With each piece being only five-to-ten pages long, I found myself breezing through the book. It was impossible to put down or become bored. Highly recommended for anyone interested in 20th century American literature, history, and pop culture.
Highlights for me included Thomas Mann's gushing love letter to film (and the unforgettable image of him crying in the lobby after The Big Parade), Walter Winchell's "Primer of Broadway Slang," ("A 'kootch' or 'hootchie kootchie dancer' is a 'torso tosser,' a 'thigh grinder,' or a 'hip-flipper'..."), and Dorothy Parker's brilliant "Hate Songs" that satirize everything from dull husbands to the offices of Vanity Fair. With each piece being only five-to-ten pages long, I found myself breezing through the book. It was impossible to put down or become bored. Highly recommended for anyone interested in 20th century American literature, history, and pop culture.
helentbower's review against another edition
2.0
What an interesting book! I skimmed through the stories that dealt mainly with names that didn't mean much to me. But the ones that I read were fabulous! What an interesting time it must have been to be alive during the 20's and 30's! I enjoyed getting a peak back at some of the thoughts that were running through the heads of NYC's most elite!
vaani_reads1128's review against another edition
3.0
This is a great coffee table book. While reading this collection of articles, I felt like I was traveling back in time. These specific articles truly gave me insight of what life was like before WWll. As I read articles about the Great Depression it felt more authentic than reading about in a history book at school.
My favorite articles were “Are Odd Women Really Odd?” by Hyman Strunsky, “Men: A Hate Song” by Dorothy Rothschild Parker, and the poem “Four Sonnets” by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
I especially enjoyed all of the articles written by Dorothy Rothschild Parker. They so were entertaining and fun. Dorothy seems like a person I would really get along with. Too bad she is most likely dead.
The reason I did not rate this book higher is because many articles honesty bored me. But there were still great articles in this collection.
My favorite articles were “Are Odd Women Really Odd?” by Hyman Strunsky, “Men: A Hate Song” by Dorothy Rothschild Parker, and the poem “Four Sonnets” by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
I especially enjoyed all of the articles written by Dorothy Rothschild Parker. They so were entertaining and fun. Dorothy seems like a person I would really get along with. Too bad she is most likely dead.
The reason I did not rate this book higher is because many articles honesty bored me. But there were still great articles in this collection.
mwgerard's review
5.0
Please read my full review here: http://mwgerard.com/books-for-bathtub-gin-drinkers/
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