Entertainment Nation is a new, permanent exhibition at the Smithsonian's
National Museum of American History, as well as the title of the exhibition's catalog.
Reviews and Press Coverage of the Entertainment Nation exhibition:
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Reviews and Description of the Exhibition Catalog:
"This lively and interesting book turns a spotlight on nearly 300 key artifacts (a fraction of the more than a million objects in the Smithsonian’s collection) and sets them in social and historical context through a series of essays. […] With this book in hand, those unable to visit the Smithsonian in person can enjoy these national treasures.”
-- Booklist
Entertainment Nation is a star-studded and richly illustrated book celebrating the best of 150 years of US pop culture. The book presents nearly 300 breathtaking Smithsonian objects from the first long-term exhibition on popular culture, and features contributors like Billie Jean King, Ali Wong, and Jill Lepore. Entertainment Nation offers the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the passion and grit of star athletes, the limelight of the music industry and theater, and the amazing entertainers we love to watch, with dazzling cultural touchstones like:
Music and Theater
Film and Television
Sports
The book includes essays that contextualize the objects’ place in time and history, exploring how entertainment sparks conversation and debate, reveals social tensions and political power, and dictates who gets to be the hero or the villain. Taking a nostalgic look at old favorites and an exhilarating glimpse of contemporary attractions, Entertainment Nation is a love letter to pop culture.
To order a copy of the catalog, click here.
"This lively and interesting book turns a spotlight on nearly 300 key artifacts (a fraction of the more than a million objects in the Smithsonian’s collection) and sets them in social and historical context through a series of essays. […] With this book in hand, those unable to visit the Smithsonian in person can enjoy these national treasures.”
-- Booklist
Entertainment Nation is a star-studded and richly illustrated book celebrating the best of 150 years of US pop culture. The book presents nearly 300 breathtaking Smithsonian objects from the first long-term exhibition on popular culture, and features contributors like Billie Jean King, Ali Wong, and Jill Lepore. Entertainment Nation offers the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the passion and grit of star athletes, the limelight of the music industry and theater, and the amazing entertainers we love to watch, with dazzling cultural touchstones like:
Music and Theater
- Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton costume
- John Coltrane’s saxophone
- Selena’s leather outfit
Film and Television
- Captain America’s shield
- Mr. Roger’s sweater
- Seinfeld’s puffy shirt
Sports
- Mia Hamm’s Olympic jersey
- Kristi Yamaguchi’s ice skates
- Babe Ruth autographed baseball
The book includes essays that contextualize the objects’ place in time and history, exploring how entertainment sparks conversation and debate, reveals social tensions and political power, and dictates who gets to be the hero or the villain. Taking a nostalgic look at old favorites and an exhilarating glimpse of contemporary attractions, Entertainment Nation is a love letter to pop culture.
To order a copy of the catalog, click here.