'Blau's study is a methodologically sophisticated, sociological examination of artistic production and consumption patterns in the larger metropolitan areas of the US … Blau demonstrates a thorough command of the literature. Some of her findings are surprising, and are contrary to much of the conventional wisdom of past and contemporary observers, whose conclusions lacked the kind of painstakingly gathered and skillfully analyzed empirical support provided by Blau.' Choice

• 1. Culture as structure and meaning; 2. The American cultural landscape; 3. Reproduction and decline; 4. Co-ocurrence, tipping in, and bridging; 5. Organizational assembly and disassembly; 6. Increasing returns on diminishing artists; 7. A little more on the hobby horse; 8. Masses and classes; 9. The transformation of American culture.