The season seven premiere of AMC’s “Mad Men” is airing on Sunday, April 13th, and for loyal fans of the show, the day can’t arrive soon enough! It’s been nearly a year since we’ve seen our favorite characters trying to navigate the cultural, economic, and social issues of the 1960s while making it big in the advertising world. Whether you’re a longtime viewer or are checking out the show from our DVD collection for the first time, here are a few suggestions for books you might also enjoy.
For the true stories behind the show, try “Mad Women: The Other Side of Life on Madison Avenue in the ’60s and Beyond” by Jane Maas. The author, dubbed the “real-life Peggy Olsen,” shares her experiences as a woman trying to balance motherhood with career advancement in a primarily male industry. Maas, responsible for the beloved “I Heart NY” campaign, rose from copywriter to head of her own award-winning advertising agency. “The King of Madison Avenue” by Kenneth Roman is an in-depth profile of advertising executive David Ogilvy, founder of Ogilvy & Mather and creator of some of the most recognizable campaigns in history.
For some novel inspiration, try “Truth in Advertising” by John Kenney, a satire of the advertising world that centers on protagonist Finbar Dolan, a New York City copywriter whose quest for happiness is filtered through a major work assignment (creating a commercial to air during the Superbowl), romantic entanglements (he cancels his wedding and begins taking interest in a coworker) and difficult family issues (the imminent death of his father). And “The Best of Everything,” the 1958 bestselling novel by Rona Jaffe tells the fictional tale of four young women trying to make it in the elusive world of the New York City publishing industry.
There have also been several books written since the start of the series that are tied directly to the characters and lifestyles presented in the show. They include “The Fashion File: Advice, Tips, and Inspiration from the Costume Designer of Mad Men” by Janie Bryan; “Difficult Men: Behind the Scenes of a Creative Revolution” by Brett Martin; and “The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Sixties Cookbook: More Than 100 Retro Recipes for the Modern Cook” by Rick Rodgers.
Don’t forget to explore the “List” feature in our catalog to view titles that other readers have created, recommended and shared. Here are a few to get you started:
Throw a Mad Men Party!
Vintage Style
The Music of Mad Men
Sally Draper’s Reading List
What Would Don Draper Read?
Books to Read When Mad Men is Over
Finally, for those who wish to truly immerse themselves in the world of “Mad Men,” AMC offers a chance for you to “Mad Men Yourself!” With a few simple clicks, you, too, can join the crazy world of Sterling Cooper and friends!