Mad Men Carousel: The Complete Critical Companion

Mad Men is now considered to be one of the most iconic TV shows of the 21st century. Seitz (TV critic, New York magazine; editor in chief, RogerEbert.com) offers insightful commentary about each of the show's 92 episodes. Not only does he review the plot of every broadcast, but he also delves into the characters' psyches, their interpersonal relationships within the workplace and at home, and their career aspirations. He explores how the historical events and social changes that took place during the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s informed the show and its themes. Turning each page of this companion book is like clicking through the slides in the carousel projector featured in the show's first season finale (from which the author based the title of his book): snapshots of people with layered inner lives interacting in a world of change—as seen through the lens of midcentury modern nostalgia—are there for the reader to study and savor.