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The Stars Down to Earth (Routledge Classics) 2nd Edition

by Theodor Adorno (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 30 ratings
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The Stars Down to Earth shows us a stunningly prescient Adorno. Haunted by the ugly side of American culture industries he used the different angles provided by each of these three essays to showcase the dangers inherent in modern obsessions with consumption. He engages with some of his most enduring themes in this seminal collection, focusing on the irrational in mass culture - from astrology to new age cults, from anti-semitism to the power of neo-fascist propaganda. He points out that the modern state and market forces serve the interest of capital in its basic form. Stephan Crook's introduction grounds Adorno's arguments firmly in the present where extreme religious and political organizations are commonplace - so commonplace in fact that often we deem them unworthy of our attention. Half a century ago Theodore Adorno not only recognised the dangers, but proclaimed them loudly. We did not listen then. Maybe it is not too late to listen now.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0415271002
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0415271004
  3. Edition
    2nd
  4. Publisher
    Routledge
  5. Publication date
    October 11, 2001
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.08 x 0.58 x 7.79 inches
  8. Print length
    256 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'There is no question of the contemporary importance and relevance of these essays. T. W. Adorno is one of the great critics of the role of irrational authoritarianism in contemporary society.' Douglas Kellner

'This collection demonstrates the continuing relevance of Adorno's work to the analysis and understanding of modern times. A brilliant contribution to the sociology of racism, anti-Semitism and popular culture.' - Bryan S. Turner, co-editor, The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology

'Theodor Adorno returns from the grave to deliver this timely warning about the dangers of superstition.' Review

About the Author

Theodor Adorno (1903 - 1969). German philosopher who was a leading member of the Frankfurt School. Adorno led an influential attack on the "culture industry" prevalent in contemporary capitalist society.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 2nd edition (October 11, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0415271002
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0415271004
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1510
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 0.58 x 7.79 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
30 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

noeton
5.0 out of 5 stars Quiet Classic
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2013
Studies demonstrating Adorno's 'authoritarian personality' conceptual model. His fascinating analysis of the LA Times astrology column demonstrates the power and mechanisms of primitive belief forms in modern society. I would say the very reaction of the person who gave this book one star because they didn't realize it was a critique of astrology (LOL) rather shows Adorno hit a nerve! The reader is sure to recognize the entirely contemporary propaganda techniques of the right-wingnut media in Adorno's razor-sharp insights. Alone making the book a worthy addition to one's shelf is the accompanying essay on Anti-Semitism; an absolute must-read. The introductory materials are furthermore top notch and very helpful.
7 people found this helpful
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R. Burnier
4.0 out of 5 stars Adorno brings his considerable intellect to bear on a seemingly ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2016
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Adorno brings his considerable intellect to bear on a seemingly trivial subject -- Astrology -- but it is valuable to go through this exercise on how mass culture provides ways of coping with complexity. Adorno's is ultimately an empathic approach these issues. Since he is a central figure in the tradition of critical theory, he of course looks at astrology as a modern reincarnation of ancient tropes that used to serve humankind but are now irrevocably lost. It is a corrupted remnant of what used to be absolutely true for humans. Modern astrology becomes quasi-scientific, muddled in "facts" and generally lives in a world of plausible deniability, and a mingling of personal agency with deterministic celestial commands to take the edge off the heavy burden of being a lone individual in mass society. In short, it is symptomatic of our long, continuing crisis of modernity.
4 people found this helpful
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Ann McCoy
1.0 out of 5 stars reaaly awful/ poor dismissal of the essoteric/ why I fled Werckmeister and Adorno
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2013
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A book that really discusses the problems with this book is: THE NEW INQUISITIONS/ HERETIC-HUNTING AND THE INTELLECTUAL ORIGINS OF MODERN TOTALITARIANISM by Arthur Versluis. A great book on astrology is Richard Tarnas', COSMOS AND PSYCHE,,which traces historical developments and astrological transits. Adorno was very limited in his dismissal of the occult which for him is all related to Himmler and HItler. This is very myopic. He does not understand astrology and anything about spirituality. It is sad that so many in the art world have been programmed by this type of thinking which is all about dialectical materialism and has no spirit or dimension.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amir Fleischmann
5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging, but worth it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
Great book. If you have no experience with Adorno, this might be a good place to start. The column from the Times is not too difficult to read, the bit from Minima Moralia is a bit harder. Not something to read on a commute, but if you take the time to go through it properly it will be very rewarding.
One person found this helpful
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Goth life
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
Really good read. Got at a very good price
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