Maybe it is because that while Wolfe makes many to the point observations that crystallize the atmosphere of the s, I personally do not like the atmosphere or maybe I am picking up Wolfe's own dislike. Words he uses to describe people and fashions and life - references no longer understandable in if you haven't lived it in the 's. But Wolfe is totally off the mark when writing about movies in general. Is he a snob? The 22 essays in the book share no particular unifying theme other than Wolfe's experimental techniques in non-fiction writing. 
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The only thing that I found unsettling was his obsessive use of the esoteric adjective "atherosclerotic". The Tngerine Vegas that Wolfe describes in has only gotten bigger, noisier, and more complete in its attempts to win your attention. Wolfe revels in the kitschy Americana culture of prosperity with a genuine affection. I read this book primarily for the story on the southern California car culture.
I like feeling the excitement of being right there in the moment, but then I realize I don't have a clue what Tom Wolfe is talking about.
The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby by Tom Wolfe
I also really like his crazy sketches of street life in New York, complete with hair style portraits. It is a slice of the culture between the era of Ike and the escalation in Vietnam, when all things seemed pos At the height of his short form powers, this is a collection from that quixotic period between when there seemed to be reason for optimism. This book, while well thought of today, 50 years from now will be forgotten.
Another excellent set of essays, mostly mini-biographies with an eye for issues of class and status.
Both are insightful and entertaining. The writing has a certain "beat" flair, though I'm not certain that Wolfe would appreciate being thrown in with beat writers. She rakes his cheek with her fingernails. Sorry, all you Hunter S. Wolfe's brilliant first book -- a collection of essays that introduced us to the Sixties, streamlinf extravagant new styles of life that had nothing to do with the "elite" culture of the past.
Had to do some research and asking around about her. Jan 07, Lowell L.
The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby
Excellent book by a genius. I can not pinpoint down the exact reason why: In books such as The Electric Koolaid Acid Test, The Right Stuffand The Bonfire of the VanitiesWolfe delves into the inner workings of the mind, writing about the unconscious decisions people make in their lives. It is a slice of the culture between the era of Ike and the escalation in Vietnam, when all things seemed possible and we had not yet become a nation of cynics.
This was a very interesting perspective on life among celebrity and other fascinating people in the 's.
Hard to imagine anyone thinking a hot rods and customs car show would be all about punk kids and rock and roll. Wolfe presents a clean and descriptive asthetic, but he seems almost obsessed with the bourgeois culturati of the early 60's and late 50's which just made some of the prose excruciatingly bland. I first read these great early essays with oandy over-caffeinated headrush prose and their ability to freezeframe the very geist of the zeit.
Wolfe's first book - a great collection of his magazine articles from this classic period. Jul 13, Christopher Patrick rated it really liked it. It's not surprising kanfy a white Southern man of his generation would be racist and sexist and complain about tanverine these days, but it's disappointing when a good writer can't get off his metaphorical ass and create a character that isn't just a shallow stereotype.
Two of my favorite quotes from the article are: The name dropping density shies dangerously close to the thread count of the emperor's new clothes, but the bit about functional suit sleeve buttons is unequivocally for the ages. This whole collection is very good, but one particular essay, about Cary Grant's particular brand of masculinity, is worth buying the whole book for.
Too noisy Las Vegas!!!! sgreamline
Just heard on the news of the passing of Tom Babu, a writer who seems to have been around my entire life. So much that was on the fringe is now just mainstream. Jun 27, Jim Rossi rated it it was amazing.
Is he a snob? After years as a newspaper reporter, Wolfe had finally found his voice.
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