Adorno on Popular Culture

This book provides the reader with a comprehensive one-stop guide to Adorno's key essays on culture, media and music. The illuminating introduction shows the interconnections between the different strands of Adorno's thought and demonstrates how his thought on culture connects-up with a deeper critique of modernity. Looking in depth at Adorno's work, the book reinforces the claim that he is a giant of twentieth century thought in culture and cultural theory. Adorno's thesis that jazz, popular music, the Hollywood film, the television soap opera and the radio symphony are nothing less than toxic, to genuine well being, is cogently demonstrated. Few other works, demonstrate with more force, the continuing relevance of Adorno's thinking in exploring culture and society.