Two Words, One Answer.
Loser
 Born Losers: A History of Failure in America $19.00 This deals with the usually offstage history of failure and failures, what happens to them, what they have in common -- and how here in America we define ourselves as successful or failed. That is, we define our lives in business terms. But this is a colorful, even rollicking at times book, anything but programmatic or dry. One chapter, for example, deals with the literary genre of begging letters sent to John D. Rockefeller. I was stimulated and entertained. This may be a book I'll want to reread at some point.  Loser : The Real Seattle Music Story (Updated Second Edition) $22.00 I'm confused about reviews that claim it's "not about the grundge scene (sic)" because the book is not supposed to be ABOUT grunge. However, the book does cover many to most of the local bands during the early 90s and of course references the ones that "made it," although you'll do better elsewhere for material on Nirvana, Mudhoney, etc. But the book is chock full of material on a huge number of bands--perhaps too many, because some of them fly by pretty quickly. Not much cultural analysis, but plenty of little insights about individuals, venues, etc. The book is strongest post-1975, especially post-1985. |
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