Celebrity Nation

How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers

By: Landon Y. Jones

Narrated by: Jean-François Montoya

A former People magazine editor reveals how our cult of celebrity has shaped our politics, our culture, and our personal lives—for better or worse

From the writer and editor who coined the term “baby boomer” comes Celebrity Nation,an exploration into how and why fame no longer stems only from heroic achievements but from the number of “likes” and shares—and what this change means for American culture. Landon Jones—who spent decades in “celebrityland” only to emerge, like Alice, blinking in the sunlight—brings a personal and first-person perspective on fame and its dark underbelly, complicated even further by the arrival of the internet and social media.

Jones draws on his experience as the former managing editor of People magazine to bolster his account with profiles of celebrities he knew personally, ranging from Malcolm X to Princess Diana, as well as observations about contemporary social media stars like Kim Kardashian and computer-generated macro-influencer Miquela, a self-proclaimed “19-year-old Robot living in LA.” In analyzing the stories of over 75 celebrities, spanning decades and industries, Jones shows how celebrity has been wielded as a weapon of mass distraction to spawn narcissism, harm, and loneliness.

And yet, in these stories we also see a path forward. Jones highlights luminaries like Nobel Peace prize winner Maria Ressa and lauded environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who have effected meaningful change not by glorifying themselves but by turning to their communities for action. A lively analysis of celebrity culture’s impact on nearly every facet of our lives, Celebrity Nation helps us to recognize how the apparatus of fame operates.

Critic reviews

“A disquieting, well-researched exploration of the celebrity phenomenon and its consequences for our society.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Jones is an astute chronicler of celebrity culture.”
—Publishers Weekly

“A well-researched, astute examination of the blurred lines between heroes and celebrities. The book’s narrative and plot points are immensely readable.”
—Library Journal

“Others have—and will—explore this topic in more depth, but Jones’s clear-eyed, often rueful take on the phenomenon is an excellent starting point.”
—Shelf Awareness

“A triumph of human insight into an all-too-often inhuman institution that can become a mortal threat to celebrities themselves.”
—The Milken Review

“An irresistibly readable history and critique of our vertiginous celebrity culture.”
—Joyce Carol Oates, author of Blonde

“As one of the founding editors at People, Lanny Jones helped chronicle and invent the rise of celebrity culture. In this fun and insightful book, he explores the difference between celebrities and heroes, a distinction that is more important than ever in our age of Kardashians and Trumps.”
—Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs

“As the editor of People magazine during its early glory days, Landon Jones was present at the creation of the Celebrity Nation. He brings a sharp eye and deep understanding—as well as warmth and humor—to exploring a phenomenon that once seemed like an entertaining diversion but now threatens to consume us all.”
—Evan Thomas, author of First: Sandra Day O’Connor and Road to Surrender

“The final arbiter of all matters celebrity in America.”
—former columnist Frank Rich, New York Times

“As a former editor of People magazine, Landon Jones is an expert on the rise of celebrity culture in this country and its troubling social costs. His mesmerizing book, revealing in unsettling detail how America’s addiction to celebrity has heightened its political and class divisions and weakened community and family ties, is a must-read.”
—Lynne Olson, author of Empress of the Nile: The Daredevil Archaeologist Who Saved Egypt’s Ancient Temples from Destruction

Great Insight

Lanny has astutely analyzed the history and dynamics of fame. Where it soars, why it succeeds and what happens when it crashes.
Especially welcome are data about the effect of celebrity on fans — especially young ones and hazards (and utility) of social media.
Useful book full of information and entertains to the reader.
I listened to it as an audiobook with an excellent reader.
Buy it. Learn things. Become a more enlightened human in out chaotic starry, starry world.

distinguishes celebrities vs people who make more substantial contributions

In the vein of the book "Bowling Alone" this book describes a change in the character of our nation. We have become more shallow and individualistic.

Well thought out and presented

Where have all the heroes gone? What is the power of celebrity and why the heck does anyone even care? Normally, this not the type of book I am interested in. The Atlantic recommended it so I thought, why not. I am glad I did too. This story is told from the point of view of someone who has been front and center of star making. He really brings the entire book to a powerful conclusion in the final chapter. I have been recommending this to my colleagues and I would recommend it to you.

Great perspective. Incredibly relevant.

I will recommend this book to many of my friends. Great for artists, small business owners (especially if you interact with social media) and anyone with a curious mind!

Pretty shallow

Was hoping for more analysis. The book felt more like a series of anecdotes and headlines. Narrator did a fine job.