Jane and Michael Stern's Encyclopedia of Pop Culture: An A to Z Guide of Who's Who and What's What, from Aerobics and Bubble Gum to Valley of the Doll

No one knows American pop culture like Jane & Michael Stern. They write from a sociological standpoint, but it's so interesting, witty and TRUE! All of their books are funny, entertaining, and enlightening. My personal favorite is "60's People", which is impossible to find. But this is a good second place (along with The Encyclopedia Of Bad Taste). If you're interested in pop culture, I highly recommend this book.

This is an excellent reference work that profiles the most celebrated (and in some cases, reviled) touchstones of 20th Century American life. I highly recommend finding a copy.

Comprehensive,authoritative, witty and entertaining, the 200 articles in this book will be appreciated by anyone born in the 40's and 50's. The articles give sense and history to a multitude of pieces from our recent past.

The authors of this book are very witty and well-informed, whether they're writing about Pop-Rocks, The Brady Bunch, or Hippies (whom the authors define succinctly as 'lobotomized beatniks'). The entry on Evel Knievel will make you laugh out loud, and perhaps blush a little bit at the strangeness of the characters whom our society makes into idols. You'll find a lot of interesting information on classic American TV shows, bizzarrely popular consumer products, celebrities who defined their eras, and lots of little things you've forgotten about... like pet rocks, leg warmers, and mood rings.