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Advertisements for Myself

norman mailer

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An essential guide to the life and work of one of America's most controversial writers, Advertisements for Myself is a comprehensive collection of the best of Norman Mailer's essays, stories, interviews and journalism from the Forties and Fifties, linked by anarchic and riotous autobiographical commentary. Laying bare the heart of a witty, belligerent and vigorous writer, this manifesto of Mailer's key beliefs contains pieces on his war experiences in the Philippines (the basis for his famous first novel The Naked and the Dead), tributes to fellow novelists William Styron, Saul Bellow, Truman Capote and Gore Vidal and magnificent polemics against pornography, advertising, drugs and politics. Also included is his notorious exposition of the phenomenon of the 'White Negro', the Beat Generation's existentialist hero whose life, like Mailer's, is 'an unchartered journey into the rebellious imperatives of the self'.

532 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1959

This edition

Format
532 pages, Paperback
Published
September 15, 1992 by Harvard University Press
ISBN
9780674005907
ASIN
0674005902
Language
English

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About the author

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norman mailer

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Norman Kingsley Mailer was an American novelist, journalist, essayist, poet, playwright, screenwriter, and film director.

Along with Truman Capote, Joan Didion, and Tom Wolfe, Mailer is considered an innovator of creative nonfiction, a genre sometimes called New Journalism, but which covers the essay to the nonfiction novel. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize twice and the National Book Award once. In 1955, Mailer, together with Ed Fancher and Dan Wolf, first published The Village Voice, which began as an arts- and politics-oriented weekly newspaper initially distributed in Greenwich Village. In 2005, he won the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from The National Book Foundation.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 29 votes)
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9(31%)
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29 reviews All reviews
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Blitzschlag
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A little boring and out of date. He is indeed a great writer and a passionate man. However, when it comes to his work, I just can't seem to immerse myself in its history the way I do with Hunter S. Thompson. I own one of his novels that I am somewhat interested in reading. But as for this particular book, I believe it will only hold interest as a supplement to his more extensive body of work. It may provide additional context or details that could enhance the overall understanding of his larger works. Nevertheless, on its own, it may not have the same allure and engaging quality that some of his other writings possess.

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juryaplee
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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In full disclosure, I only read this book because I am attempting to complete the Barthelme Syllabus.

To be honest, I have a rather negative view of Norman Mailer. I believe he represents the worst type of entitled white male author. He is racist and extremely misogynist. His work often displays a combination of self-aggrandizement and self-deprecation. There are even parts of his work that he himself admits are nonsense.

However, it must be acknowledged that he is not completely without talent. But despite this, I would be perfectly content if I never had to read his work again.

I find his attitudes and the content of his writing to be quite off-putting. It makes the reading experience rather unpleasant for me. I much prefer authors who approach their work with more respect and a more positive attitude towards different genders and races.

Overall, while Mailer may have some literary skills, his negative qualities overshadow any potential enjoyment I could have gained from reading his book.
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Uji_Gintoki_Bowl
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A real mixed bag, but a worthwhile one indeed.

It builds up gradually, with each part contributing to the overall tapestry. As it progresses, it leads to some truly extraordinary fragments at the end.

He boldly announces the scale of his ambitions, leaving no room for doubt about his grand vision. And then, in a remarkable display, he successfully demonstrates that he has what it takes within him to meet those lofty ambitions.

This marks the beginning of a Mailer journey for me, and I have to say that I'm thoroughly impressed so far.

The way he weaves together different elements and ideas, and the confidence with which he presents his work, make it a captivating and engaging experience.

I'm eager to see where this journey takes me and what other surprises and delights Mailer has in store.

Overall, it's been a promising start, and I look forward to delving deeper into his body of work.
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Yamamoto_001
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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In 1959, a significant year in history, many events took place that would shape the world as we know it today.

It was a time of great change and progress in various fields.

Technological advancements were being made at an astonishing pace, with new inventions and discoveries revolutionizing the way people lived and worked.

In the political arena, there were major developments and power shifts that had far-reaching consequences.

Social movements were also emerging, advocating for equality, justice, and human rights.

1959 was a year of excitement, anticipation, and uncertainty, as the world looked towards the future with hope and a sense of possibility.

It was a year that would be remembered for a long time to come, as it marked a turning point in the history of mankind.
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MHSB50
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I did not read the entire book.

It is a compilation consisting of his essays and short stories.

Interestingly, in the preface, he indicates the best ones to read.

However, some of the stories appear to be extremely dated.

This is because they were predominantly written in the 1950s.

Moreover, his views come across as those of a racist and homophobe.

This aspect really detracts from the overall value of the book.

One wonders if the author's biases influenced the content and message of his works.

Despite this, there may still be some merit in certain of the essays and stories.

Perhaps they offer insights into the social and cultural context of the time.

Nonetheless, it is important to approach the book with a critical eye and be aware of the author's potentially offensive views.

Overall, it is a complex and somewhat controversial collection that requires careful consideration.
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0ceanbytes
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The content in this is truly remarkable.

Particularly, his voice columns are outstanding. They possess a certain charm and allure that draw the listeners in.

However, on the other hand, there is also some of the worst stuff which can be rather tedious. It lacks the excitement and engagement that the other parts have.

Perhaps this is just a small drawback in an otherwise great collection.

Overall, despite the presence of the tedious elements, the best stuff still manages to shine through and make it a worthwhile experience.

One can't help but appreciate the efforts put into creating this, even with its few imperfections.

It has the potential to be even better if the areas of tedium can be addressed and improved upon.

Nevertheless, for now, it remains a work that has both its strengths and weaknesses.
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EnkoKasumi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A guilty pleasure.

To me, it's sort of like going to the supermarket and leisurely browsing through US magazines.

The blatant egotism and narcissism on display, for some strange reason, seem not only fun but also sort of charming.

As he grapples with the language, we gain a real sense of his personality.

Here is another human being, struggling hard to create art, even though it clearly doesn't come easily or naturally to him.

The fact that he manages to succeed all the same is truly inspiring.

It makes us believe that even when faced with difficulties and challenges in our own pursuits, we too can overcome and achieve something remarkable.

His journey serves as a reminder that perseverance and a passion for one's craft can lead to great things, regardless of the initial obstacles.

It's a story that encourages us to keep pushing forward and not give up on our dreams.
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SeaCup
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The moment I read it, it left a profound impression on me.

Rather than simply regarding Mailer as a writer, I was more intrigued by him as a personality.

His unique charm and complex character seemed to leap off the pages, captivating my attention.

Perhaps it was his boldness, his willingness to take risks and explore the boundaries of literature and life.

Or maybe it was the way he presented himself, with a certain swagger and confidence that was both appealing and intimidating.

Whatever the reason, I found myself drawn to Mailer in a way that I had not been to other writers.

I wanted to know more about him, to understand the man behind the words.

And so, my interest in Mailer as a personality grew, leading me to explore his works and life in greater depth.

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