This book investigates the complex and often contradictory relationship between American popular culture and its audiences throughout the 20th century. J. Hoberman, a noted film critic and cultural historian, draws upon a vast array of sources, including films, television, vaudeville, and popular print media, to argue that entertainment has served as a crucial site for negotiating national identity and social change. The work examines how mass entertainment both reflected and shaped American values, anxieties, and aspirations, particularly in the post-war era.

J. Hoberman's "Entertaining America" is recognized as a significant contribution to the study of American cultural history and media. Critics have noted its comprehensive scope and insightful analysis of the ways popular entertainment has functioned as a mirror and shaper of American society. The book is often cited for its nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between cultural production and audience reception, offering a dense yet accessible exploration of the subject.