Everyday aesthetic experiences and concerns occupy a large part of our aesthetic life. However; because of their prevalence and mundane nature; we tend not to pay much attention to them; let alone examine their significance. Western aesthetic theories of the past few centuries also neglect everyday aesthetics because of their almost exclusive emphasis on art. In a ground-breaking new study; Yuriko Saito provides a detailed investigation into our everyday aestheticexperiences; and reveals how our everyday aesthetic tastes and judgments can exert a powerful influence on the state of the world and our quality of life.By analysing a wide range of examples from our aesthetic interactions with nature; the environment; everyday objects; and Japanese culture; Saito illustrates the complex nature of seemingly simple and innocuous aesthetic responses. She discusses the inadequacy of art-centered aesthetics; the aesthetic appreciation of the distinctive characters of objects or phenomena; responses to various manifestations of transience; and the aesthetic expression of moral values; and she examines the moral;political; existential; and environmental implications of these and other issues.
#500629 in eBooks 2007-02-01 2007-02-01File Name: B005HF4D06
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A thorough and meticulously researched history of Cuban musicBy Philip LewisSublettes book is a thorough and meticulously researched history of Cuban music covering the period from colonization to the mid 20th century. I found this book by researching syllabi for university-level courses in Cuban music. and it came up frequently. Sublette is not an academic. which is both good and bad. The good part is that the book is refreshingly free of academic jargon. and should be quite accessible to any interested reader. (I did my bachelors in ethnomusicology and I cant tell you the tremendous volume of BS you have to slog through most of the time.) Whats more. the author is free to present the material in a candid and quite engaging way. without the burden of trying to impress other academics or research funders. The downside is that the book is somewhat lacking in academic rigor and at times frustratingly devoid of narrative cohesion. However. you cant say that Sublette is not knowledgeable about the subject and the level of detail may be a bit much for some readers. Overall I have to say that this book will give anyone interested in the subject far more information than they could ever want. I suggest skipping around to get to the parts that are of particular interest (the chapters on the early history and post Spanish-American war are particularly useful).0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Complex story simply toldBy Martha MinkThis is a fabulous book from start to finish. Its well written. well organized. fascinating and comprehensive. The author ties together a rich and detailed history of instrumental and vocal music from Africa and the Arab world then funnels that well-elaborated context onto the island of Cuba as if it were a rich and savory stew being poured into a large kettle. His knowledge of African regions and spiritual practices informs the later parts about Cuban music. His vast knowledge of and unbounded enthusiasm for 20th century Cuban music pioneers like Benny More make the books last chapters a delight. His understanding of what can and cannot be laid at the doorstep of US military interventions and organized criminal enterprise gives an unsparing yet balanced picture of how post-Prohibition mobsters virtually exclaimed "carpe diem"! when they realized the profit potential in Cuban gambling and other night life. and how structural weaknesses in Cuban political and economic institutions. often traceable to US-caused distortions. shaped the setting in which the music of the 1940s and 50s flourished when US labor unions limited many Cuban musicians ability to perform much less record in the US.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A miracle of a book!By William VlachThis book is a miracle of ethnomusicology. history. humor. common sense. and just plain good writing. I was fortunate to bump into it via ; Id never heard of it before. I was shocked when it came in the mail- over 500 pages! I feared Id never get through it; would be inundated with somewhat useless material. Boy. was I surprised! The history sections alone are worth the price of admission. The great streams of African slaves brought to Spain. to Cuba. to the U.S. are the foundations of the contemporary music as we know it. The book allows to see this as well as the differences between Afro-Cuban music and Afro-American Blues and Jazz. The religions of Africa/Cuba are displayed and integrated into the narrative. Cuban history presented is entirely connected to U.S. history in ways that are at best unseemly. The variations of Cuban music from the earliest to the 1940s is shown with thought and love. Recommended for folks interested in Cuba. Latin music. blues. jazz. the African diaspora. and those who like a good read. Brilliant!
