Lengthy diatribe on the “perverse” influences of artistic Modernism and Postmodernism in popular music. Surely one of the most prudish, misguided, shallow, reactionary, bitter and, yes, perverse (she likes Warhol but despises McLaren?) books ever written about popular culture by an obviously intelligent person. But at least she hates U2. Fun reading. MG

Publisher: University of Chicago
Paperback: 453 pages
Illustrated

Little is known of the life of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Yet his paintings, rich with precise detail of everyday life during the Flemish Renaissance yield much to historical research—and the erudite imaginings this author. Using Bruegel’s paintings as a point of departure for elegant, historical fantasy, Rocquet explores the intricacies of commerce and politics, court life and peasant life, ship-building and architecture, the Spanish Occupation and much else that passed before the penetrating eye of Bruegel. What emerges is a portrait of the artist which is moving and convincing in its psychological depth. DN

Publisher: University of Chicago
Hardback: 210 pages

“Philosopher Krell and internationally recognized photographer/designer/architect Bates have teamed up to produce a stunning, visual biography of Nietzsche that focuses on the sites where he worked and on the significance of ‘place’ for his thought. In 217 black-and-white and color prints, including 44 from Nietzsche’s own collection, Krell and Bates lead the reader along the trajectory of Nietzsche’s life, presenting for the first time the visual aspect of his philosophy. Many of the included passages from Nietzsche appear here in translation for the first time, and all have been newly translated. The result is not merely an illustrated biography, but an aesthetic revelation as to why Nietzsche thought of himself as a ‘good European.’”

Publisher: University of Chicago
Hardback: 256 pages
Illustrated