The Cultural Industries

By David Hesmondhalgh

Book Overview

The first two editions of The Cultural Industries scrutinized the transformation in creativity and the cultural industries in a political, economic and cultural context. Now undisputedly a classic, this Third Edition offers essential updates to map the contemporary media landscape:
Provides an all-new online reading resource to springboard students into researchBroadens examples of media text to include social media, digital publishing, reality TV and talent shows Traces the growth of the cultural industries in emerging markets in China, India, Asia and Africa Analyzes the economic crisis and its impact on the cultural industriesExamines new cultural products and the influence on consumer electronics and IT companies, including Apple, Facebook and GoogleDavid Hesmondhalgh offers a distinctive critical approach to cultural production that makes this book a must-read for students of media, communication and cultural studies and sociology.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1446209261
• ISBN13: 9781446209264
• Release Date: December 2012
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.6" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Very refined analysis, not for those who want a quick, simple, or unrealistic analysis of cultural i

I was a bit shocked by the previous review, which says the book is a chore to read and doesn't have any answer to the questions it raises. I think the author offers an answer - cultural industries are extremely complex, and a wide range of social, cultural, and political forces are constantly shaping the cultural industries. His strategy of analysis is to broadly outline some historical trends of cultural industries; but he also adds more complexity in analyzing these trends, warning us not to reify those trends. There is no XXX-determinism in this book. Rather, it calls for more refined analysis of the cultural industries around the world. Many scholars have praised the book, and I don't think they're lying. If one wants to hold on to simplistic approaches like some hard-core versions of the political economy approach, which tend to downplay the complexity of things, s/he should avoid reading this book. But if you believe in Gramsci and the idea that culture (production, text and reception) is always in a state of struggle, this book is for you.