Why read The Pleasures of the Imagination?

Book cover of The Pleasures of the Imagination: English Culture in the Eighteenth Century

Book description

The Pleasures of the Imagination examines the birth and development of English "high culture" in the eighteenth century. It charts the growth of a literary and artistic world fostered by publishers, theatrical and musical impresarios, picture dealers and auctioneers, and presented to th public in coffee-houses, concert halls, libraries, theatres…

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European history

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Pleasures of the Imagination as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Lawrence Lipking

Author

This book is a pleasure to read. John Brewer shows us the birth of "high culture" in Britain, the many ways that a national public became aware that music, painting, theater, and poetry could bring people together and make them happy.

Low life and high life, Grub Street and royalty all come into play. And the book never forgets that the arts can be a source of fun, not only for those who create and follow them but for everyone who reads about them.

From Lawrence's list on the arts as crucial elements of human life.