British Culture: An Introduction

This third edition of British Culture is the complete introduction to culture and the arts in Britain today. Extensively illustrated and offering a wider range of topics than ever before, David P. Christopher identifies and analyses key areas in language, literature, film, TV, social media, popular music, sport and other fields, setting each one in a clear, historical context. British Culture enables students of British society to understand and enjoy a fascinating range of contemporary arts through an examination of current trends, such as the influence of business and commerce, the effects of globalization and the spread of digital communications. This new edition features: fully revised and updated chapters analyzing a range of key areas within British culture new chapters on cyberculture, heritage and festivals extracts from novels and plays This student-friendly edition also strengthens reading and study skills through follow-up activities, weblinks and suggestions for further research. David P. Christopher's book is an engaging analysis of contemporary life and arts and, together with its companion website (www.routledge.com/cw/christopher), is essential reading for every student of modern Britain.

Table of Contents:
List of figures. List of tables. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Timeline. 1. The Social and Cultural Context 2. Language in Culture 3. Cyberculture 4. Newspapers, Magazines and Journalism 5. Literature 6. Theatre 7. Cinema 8. Television and Radio 9. Art and Architecture 10. Popular Music and Fashion 11. Sport 12. Heritage and Festivals. Glossary. Index.

About the Author :
Formerly Associate Professor at the University of La Rioja, Dr. David Christopher is a researcher and author in Culture, Media and Language, and collaborates with universities and arts organizations worldwide.

Review :
"This is an excellent introductory text for students of contemporary British society and culture. The work is engagingly and clearly written, providing readers with not only an accessible summary of relevant topics but also a range of helpful case-studies. Recently updated, this study should continue to serve as the standard work in this field." Peter Donaldson, University of Kent, UK "British Culture (3rd edition) provides a "complete introduction to culture and the arts," placed in the context of major developments in the political, social and economic history of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland-as well as the United Kingdom's changing relations to Europe, North America, the Commonwealth, and the wider world-since 1945. Anyone interested in the increasingly plural and complex character of 21st-century Britain will find it an instructive and engaging study. British Culture is a versatile accomplishment, and can be profitably read from front to back, or, for more targeted research, approached by individual chapters or sections. Its organization makes it readily accessible as both a survey and a reference." Richard Floyd, University of Virginia, USA "Unlike many who proffer an introduction to Britain's culture, Christopher focusses on its enviable products. He casts the work of writers and journalists, film and television makers, fashion designers and musicians against a half century of social and political history. A fine book for courses which locate British Literature within a wider context." Simon Cook, Utrecht University, The Netherlands