Rate this book

Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 1960s America (2010)

by Natasha Vargas-Cooper(Favorite Author)

3.36 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0061991007 (ISBN13: 9780061991004)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Harper Design

review 1: I like sales. I probably wouldn’t have been as happy with this book had I picked it up at full price. But for $5, it was an interesting insight into the life and times of the 1960s, when one of my favourite television shows, Mad Men, was set. I need to warn you though before you click the ‘Buy Now’ button, that this book does not contain any photos of Don Draper. Yes, that’s right. A book about a television programme minus gratuitous pictures of the rather lovely looking male main character, nor pictures of any other character for that matter. Why?I suspect the answer to the above question is because this is more a ‘fan’ book than a licenced Mad Men book. In fact, the author makes reference to how much she enjoys the show in the acknowledgements and thanks the ... moreseries creator. But be wary, this book is a collection of short essays about fashions, manners, pop culture and advertising of the 1960s. It links in written format to events and characters in Mad Men, but there are no pictures of the show. Pictures of 1960s advertising campaigns, yes, but none of Joan’s fashions or Betty’s hairstyles.Is that such a bad thing? It might be for some fans, but once I realised this was an in-depth look at the life and times of the characters – what they read and what influenced them, I enjoyed it. It would also work for a non-Mad Men fan too who simply wanted to know what life was like for the average American during the early 1960s. Each essay is fairly short and can be read as a standalone piece, or as part of the major chapters, or from cover to cover.The writing style is easy-going and references pertinent points in case you’d like to delve further. The pictures included give the reader more insight into the real world of the 1960s (e.g. book covers, movie posters). It’s not Don Draper Illustrated, but it’s interesting for those of us who analyse every movement of the series.
review 2: This book is designed to be a fun and rather brief romp through the historical tidbits that form the backdrop to the popular TV series Madmen. However, I found myself wanting just a bit more. Some of the articles end far too abruptly and seem hurried and unfinished, while a few pieces written by the author (who is a freelance magazine writer) contain details that are of dubious historical accuracy. The better-written pieces are by the various guest authors. All in all, its a book filled with eye candy, but those who are searching for something just a tiny bit more substantive will likely be disappointed. less

Download links for: Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 1960s America

Advertising