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The Intellectual Devotional Modern Culture: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Converse Confidently with the Culturati
Price:$11.00
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Rodale Books |
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Product Description
In the tradition of the instant bestsellers The Intellectual Devotional and The Intellectual Devotional: American History comes the third installment in this indispensable series. In The Intellectual Devotional: Modern Culture, the authors explore the fascinating world of contemporary culture to offer 365 daily readings that provide the essential references needed to navigate the world today. Quench your intellectual thirst with an overview of the literature, music, film, personalities, trends, sports, and pop references that have defined the way we live. From the Slinky to Star Wars; Beatlemania to Babe Ruth; flappers to fascism—refreshing your memory and dazzling your friends has never been easier, or more fun. Whether you're a trivia genius, pop-culture buff, or avid reader, you'll be riveted by this comprehensive journey through contemporary culture. |
Customers Reviews
2008-11-28
Nice set for Info Junkies to listen while driving; nothing earth-shattering
"The Intellectual Devotional: Modern Culture edition" is a 16 CD set comprised of brief yet interesting segments on various historical figures and other cultural phenomenae. The set, like the other installments in the "Intellectual Devotional" series are designed to be read (or in this case, listened to) in daily segments throughout the year. Each piece runs about 2-3 minutes and focuses on an interesting person or movement from history or culture.
The first figure profiled, interestingly enough, is Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. Authors Kidder and Oppenheim provide a brief overview of Freud, his major career developments, books and discoveries, along with some interesting trivia tidbits and "factoids" at the end of the profile.
Literary classics and genres, as well as composers are also explored similarly, such as Dostoyevsky's ground-breaking novel "Crime and Punishment," composer Tchaikovsky, as well as cultural icons Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol.
Bottom line: Nice way to pass the time while driving to work, etc., or prep for your next Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit tournament. However, if you are reasonably well-read, paid some attention part of the time in school, and pick up a decent newspaper a few times a month or so, there is nothing earth-shattering in this installment of The Intellectual Devotional. It is an interesting novelty, and the CDs are nice, but one can find the same sort of stuff on Wikipedia for free.
Well worth a listen, but I would wait for it to come down in price, check it out from the library, OR check out some of the excellent (and free) podcasts on history and trivia from iTunes.
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2008-11-23
Nightly Routine
This is the 3rd installment in the Intellectual Devotional series and I recommend the series. There are 365 entries and I keep the book on beside my bed and read an entry every night. I even photocopy pages when I go on vacation so I don't get behind!
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2008-11-22
An Information Bonaza
This collection of cd's is really quite more that I could have ever expected. I love to know interesting things about society and culture and this collection is amazing. I find myself listening to and from work everyday and then sharing my new little bits of info to co-workers. For anyone who enjoys quiz shows this is a worthwhile collection. For anyone who prefers listening over reading you will become quite an informed individual at the end of the day...
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2008-11-20
Good as a book - but the CD version just isn't the same
There is no doubt that the book is valuable for learning new little pieces of trivia and such. Unfortunately, it's not suited for the audio format. This is really a bedside book to pick-up and read a "devotional" a night, or to read one with breakfast each morning. Hearing them all, one after another, as you do in the audio version is tedious and takes something away from what the book is really all about. 4 Stars for content, 1 star as an audio book.
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2008-11-20
Boring! Could not get past the first CD.
I guess I had the wrong expectations.
If you are pretty good with arts and culture stuff already, you will find this monotoned verson unbearable.
But it could be good for someone looking for quick facts and innuendos.
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What Everybody Should Know About Secondary Education Problems Public poll, held in 2005 showed that 85% Americans consider educational problem the most important and current one.
The inquiries disclosed that more educated people live in the capital of the country if take in account the whole population. Among the most “smart’ states is also Massachusetts and Colorado and the most illiterate people live in West Virginia and Arkansas. As a rule the income of the person directly depends on his education quality.
Major Problems in Public Education
Unfortunately the quality of secondary education still leaves much to be desired. Only in 20 of the 50 US states pupils are obliged to take special examinations to receive a degree. 20 years ago all Americans got high school degrees without such exams. Year–by-year the number of the states which implement final examinations is increasing. According to Center for Education Policy estimations many upperclassmen can not pass the examinations. About 70% can not pass their maths exam and about 40% - their English.
No other country but America spends such money (either state or personal) on education. Still according to the Organization for the Economic and Development report such expenses do not influence the quality of education itself for Americans pupils fall behind their foreign peers. Moreover for some indexes Americans loose in comparison with Europeans.
In 2000 The USA government spent more that $10.2 thousand on every petty. In other developing countries this sum does not exceed $6 thousands. The USA has become the second “generous” country to spend about 7% of GDP on public education financing. Since Bush became President the expenses on educational development and improvement has considerably grown. But they did not bring about any positive impact for pupils succeeding.
One of the greatest problems in American schools and educational establishments is the high violence level. Since 1996 there were at least 27 incidents connected with heaters usage in which about 46 students and teachers died. National Center for Education Statistics has shown that in 2001 teens of 12-18 have become victims of about 2 million crimes in USA schools. 62% of all the crimes comprise robberies. From July 1999 to June 2000 there were 24 murders and 8 suicide cases. Somehow 71% of all the American public schools faced any kinds of crimes.
The most efficient practice to fight against violence, alcohol and drugs addiction seems to be summary punishments. In each state special programs of troublesome teens reclamation exist. For example in Georgia in detention centers studies are held in small groups by specially trained teachers. These pupils are taught to study in strict discipline and under the poorest conditions, intensive physical trainings are also included. |
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