The Historical Contexts and Contemporary Uses of Mass Observation embraces new approaches and themes that highlight Mass Observation''s long history as an innovative research organization, a social movement, and an archival project. Spanning the period from Mass Observation''s inception to the present day, essay authors discuss a wide range of topics including anthropology, history, popular politics, cultural studies, literature, selfhood, emotion, art and visual studies. Indeed, what emerges across this volume is confirmation that engagement with Mass Observation-whether its historical materials or those produced in the last decade-is crucial to understanding the vast array of experiences that make up British life.