Who'd have thought there was such an interesting book to be written about kitsch pottery? Jay Strongman brings his pasison for pop culture to enliven what could otherwise have been a 'collectors only' guide to this topic. So, alongside the thorough (and brilliantly researched) history of Tiki mugs, we get the broader story of the blossoming of the Tiki scene in the US, from its 1950s origins to its recent revival. Strongman makes some fascinating and surprising connections - not least on why Tiki emerged when it did. There's also some great material on the musical component of the Tiki scene - Strongman's knowledge of the 'exotica' scene is evident here.
All in all, an essential book for anyone interested in US pop culture, not just wacky ceramics!