Description: The author of this text explores notions of authenticity in German and American folklore studies from the 18th century to the present. She demonstrates how authenticity was used to foster national causes and uphold a belief in cultural essence against feelings of loss inherent in modernization.
Brief description:
Regina Bendix is professor at the University of Gottingen in Germany.
Review Quotes: "Important for scholars in any discipline concerned with cultural analysis. In her focus on folklore and through the tremendous learning and insight she brings to bear on the 'authentic, ' Bendix has provided both a model exploration of one discipline and a broadly consequential analysis of discourses at the heart of many."--Don Brenneis, University of California, Santa Cruz