The Man in the Bowler Hat: His History and Iconography

by Fred Miller Robinson

Overview

Reflects a new understanding of modernism by following the fortunes of a single item of fashion.

"When Fred Miller Robinson tugs the bowler from the closet in The Man in the Bowler Hat: His History and Iconography, a wealth of cultural and social baggage comes tumbling out after it.—Esquire

"Entertaining and enlightening. . . . A scholarly, thoughtful, and well-documented cultural critique.—Journal of Popular Culture

"A hundred years of Western culture pulled out of a bowler hat—it's quite a trick, and Robinson accomplishes it with considerable flourish.—Roger Shattuck, Boston University

"An attempt to penetrate the bowler's significance in art, literature, and life. . . . [Robinson] has ferreted out plenty of curious and varied information, he has some nice observations of detail, and he offers a good deal to enlighten and amuse.—New Yorker

"A witty, well-written, scrupulously researched book that is a wonderful fusion of genres: social history, cultural history, and something that falls between belles lettres and fiction.—Dore Ashton, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Originally published in 1993.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807865859
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	01/27/2011
Edition description:	1
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.46(d)

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Hats off to Mr. Robinson.—New York Times Book Review



A study as lighthearted and charming as its subject. . . . A tip of the hat to this playful yet thought-provoking work.—Kirkus Reviews



When Fred Miller Robinson tugs the bowler from the closet in The Man in the Bowler Hat: His History and Iconography, a wealth of cultural and social baggage comes tumbling out after it.—Esquire



A highly diverting book.—Parade Magazine



Entertaining and enlightening. . . . A scholarly, thoughtful, and well-documented cultural critique.—Journal of Popular Culture



A hundred years of Western culture pulled out of a bowler hat—it's quite a trick, and Robinson accomplishes it with considerable flourish.—Roger Shattuck, Boston University



An attempt to penetrate the bowler's significance in art, literature, and life. . . . [Robinson] has ferreted out plenty of curious and varied information, he has some nice observations of detail, and he offers a good deal to enlighten and amuse.—New Yorker



If I had a bowler, I would take it off to [the book's] author.—The Sunday Times (London)



A witty, well-written, scrupulously researched book that is a wonderful fusion of genres: social history, cultural history, and something that falls between belles lettres and fiction.—Dore Ashton, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Editorial Reviews

"A highly diverting book."--"Parade Magazine"

"A study as lighthearted and charming as its subject. . . . A tip of the hat to this playful yet thought-provoking work."--"Kirkus Reviews"

"Entertaining and enlightening. . . . A scholarly, thoughtful, and well-documented cultural critique."--"Journal of Popular Culture"

"Hats off to Mr. Robinson."--"New York Times Book Review"

"When Fred Miller Robinson tugs the bowler from the closet in "The Man in the Bowler Hat: His History and Iconography", a wealth of cultural and social baggage comes tumbling out after it."--"Esquire"

From the Publisher

This book grew out of an article: "The History and Significance of the Bowler Hat: Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Beckett, Magritte and Kundera," TriQuarterly 66, Spring/Summer 1986. Going beyond simply compiling a compendium as he sorted through abundant material (mostly visual; little has been written on the bowler hat), Robinson (English, U. of San Diego) studies the culture of modern life by tracing the origins and fortunes of a single fashion item. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews