Wolfe, Tom

Radical Chic & Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers

ISBN: 0374246009
New York, NY, USA: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1970. First Edition. Hardcover. "In this devastatingly funny book, Tom Wolfe shows again why he is regarded as the most brilliant observer of the American social scene writing today. The book consists of two long essays, closely related in theme and substance, both dealing with political stances and social styles in our status-minded world." (from front flap) The classic, prescient work by Tom Wolfe (1930-2018), the great American author who substantially created the genre of New Journalism, which paralleled the Gonzo Journalism of Hunter S. Thompson. The fourth book-length work published in the Wolfe canon, this volume consists of two lengthy essays: "Radical Chic," where Wolfe razor-sharply & hilariously belittles the folly of the Eastern liberal white elite in the form of Leonard Bernstein's hip-swanky party at his Park Avenue apartment to benefit the Black Panthers; & "Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers," in which he goes to San Francisco to observe various aggrieved minority groups' confrontational approach toward the liberal white establishment. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket (undoubtedly first-issue with $5.95 price printed at front flap) designed by the iconic Milton glaser (1929-2020), first edition, "First printing, 1970" as stated at front flap. An essential Wolfe collectible in its rarest contemporary form; an early & ingeniously on-target sociological exploration of the identity politics & "woke" ideology that is now finally being widely exposed & shattered. Book in very fine condition with only the slightest rubbing & occasional spotting to beige-cloth front, back covers & spine incl. edges & corners; mild rubbing, age-toning & spotting to edges of text block esp. upper edge. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps, creases at upper corners of a few page leaves. Dust jacket relatively quite fine with light rubbing, age-toning & occasional small spots, markings to front, back covers, spine & flaps; a touch of wear & some tiny bumps, creases at esp. upper edges & corners of same. Very Fine / Fine. [Item #7739]

Price: $100.00