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The Resource Self-help books : why Americans keep reading them, Sandra K. Dolby

Self-help books : why Americans keep reading them, Sandra K. Dolby

Creator
Summary
"Based on a reading of more than three hundred self-help books, Sandra K. Dolby examines this remarkably popular genre to define "self-help" in a way that's compelling to academics and lay readers alike. Self-Help Books also offers an interpretation of why these books are so popular, arguing that they continue the well-established American penchant for self-education, they articulate problems of daily life and their supposed solutions, and they present their content in a form and style that is accessible rather than arcane." "Using tools associated with folklore studies, Dolby then examines how the genre makes use of stories, aphorisms, and a traditional yet contemporary worldview. The overarching premise of the study is that self-help books, much like fairy tales, take traditional materials, especially stories and ideals, and recast them into extended essays that people happily read, think about, try to apply, and then set aside when a new embodiment of the genre comes along."--Jacket
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
1 online resource
Contents
  • American popular self-education
  • The books, the writers, and metacommentary
  • The critics, the simple self, and America's cultural cringe
  • Giving advice and getting wisdom
  • Memes, themes, and worldview
  • Stories
  • Proverbs, quotes, and insights
  • Finding a use for self-help testimonies
Isbn
9780252090998
Instance
Label
Self-help books : why Americans keep reading them
Title
Self-help books
Title remainder
why Americans keep reading them
Statement of responsibility
Sandra K. Dolby
Creator
Subject
Language
eng
Summary
"Based on a reading of more than three hundred self-help books, Sandra K. Dolby examines this remarkably popular genre to define "self-help" in a way that's compelling to academics and lay readers alike. Self-Help Books also offers an interpretation of why these books are so popular, arguing that they continue the well-established American penchant for self-education, they articulate problems of daily life and their supposed solutions, and they present their content in a form and style that is accessible rather than arcane." "Using tools associated with folklore studies, Dolby then examines how the genre makes use of stories, aphorisms, and a traditional yet contemporary worldview. The overarching premise of the study is that self-help books, much like fairy tales, take traditional materials, especially stories and ideals, and recast them into extended essays that people happily read, think about, try to apply, and then set aside when a new embodiment of the genre comes along."--Jacket
Member of
Cataloging source
DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1946-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Dolby, Sandra K.
Dewey number
646.7/00973
Government publication
government publication of a state province territory dependency etc
Index
index present
LC call number
BF632
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
  • dictionaries
  • bibliography
NLM call number
  • 2005 J-271
  • WB 327
NLM item number
D661s 2005
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Self-help techniques
  • Psychological literature
  • Self Care
  • Books
  • Reading
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • REFERENCE
  • SOCIAL SCIENCE
  • Psychological literature
  • Self-help techniques
  • United States
  • Psychologie
  • Literatur
  • Selbsthilfe
  • Zelfhulptechnieken
  • Psychologie
  • USA
Label
Self-help books : why Americans keep reading them, Sandra K. Dolby
Instantiates
Publication
Copyright
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages [163]-181) and index
Carrier category
online resource
Carrier category code
  • cr
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
American popular self-education -- The books, the writers, and metacommentary -- The critics, the simple self, and America's cultural cringe -- Giving advice and getting wisdom -- Memes, themes, and worldview -- Stories -- Proverbs, quotes, and insights -- Finding a use for self-help testimonies
Control code
844939595
Extent
1 online resource
Form of item
online
Isbn
9780252090998
Lccn
2019718410
Media category
computer
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • c
http://library.link/vocab/ext/overdrive/overdriveId
  • 22573/ctt2mxj37
  • 3e45a8e2-98a0-4de7-aa12-a7b05d165a93
Specific material designation
remote
System control number
(OCoLC)844939595
Label
Self-help books : why Americans keep reading them, Sandra K. Dolby
Publication
Copyright
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages [163]-181) and index
Carrier category
online resource
Carrier category code
  • cr
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
American popular self-education -- The books, the writers, and metacommentary -- The critics, the simple self, and America's cultural cringe -- Giving advice and getting wisdom -- Memes, themes, and worldview -- Stories -- Proverbs, quotes, and insights -- Finding a use for self-help testimonies
Control code
844939595
Extent
1 online resource
Form of item
online
Isbn
9780252090998
Lccn
2019718410
Media category
computer
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • c
http://library.link/vocab/ext/overdrive/overdriveId
  • 22573/ctt2mxj37
  • 3e45a8e2-98a0-4de7-aa12-a7b05d165a93
Specific material designation
remote
System control number
(OCoLC)844939595

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