The Postmodern Presence: Readings on Postmodernism in American Culture and Society

‘Postmodern’ is a popular term, but difficult to define. Is it a movement? Discipline? Lifestyle? Or all these things? What are the limits of its jurisdiction? Instead of summing up the various perspectives of scholars and the variety of ideas to which the term postmodernism has been assigned, Berger lets this diversity speak for itself. By bringing together in a reader format articles and essays on the impact of the postmodern temper on an eclectic range of subjects from MTV and ‘The X-Files’ to museums and university culture, Berger presents a few of the many ways different theorists have come to terms with postmodernism, while examining manifestations of postmodernism in the culture of everyday life. Highly entertaining and thought-provoking, the collection is sure to engage students and encourage a real involvement with the issues of postmodernism. And, when paired with its ‘postmodern murder mystery’ companion, Postmortem for a Postmodernist (also published by AltaMira Press), the pair make an amusing and engaging exploration into the world of the postmodern presence.