on 50-99 accounts. )1980-present and discuss ways in which the monsters of the era are the products of historical change, conflict and context. Purchasing In her closing argument for the State, Petrocelli stresses the importance of the stolen cigarettes in proving who committed the crime. Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2014. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! While some may believe that there was no conflict between the settlers and the natives, and that, they just coexisted peacefully. In his new preface and expanded conclusion, Pooles tale connects to the presentillustrating the relationship between current social movements and their historical antecedents. I found it informative, fascinating, thought-provoking and well-written. Dracula (1931) is based on the fear of foreigners and disease. I have read Mr. Poole's work before, so I knew I was in for a treat and I was right. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. He compares himself with the other prisoners. Author W. Scott Poole takes a look at America's fascination with the macabre in his book. (Greg Garrett, Faithful Citizenship blogger and author of, One Fine Potion: The Literary Magic of Harry Potter, (John David Smith, Charles H. Stone Distinguished Professor of American History, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte), W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Five months later, Steve is again writing in his notebook. I'm just saying that throughout the country's history, there have been some pretty dark times. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. Hardback: Baylor University Press, 2011. (one code per order). SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers , new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. He wrote in his journal. is available now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app. The medical examiner states the time of Mr. Nesbitts death. Visit the new website for more about the book, upcoming events, and to keep up with Scott Poole's blog. Poole does justice to judgment; the focus of some horror films. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 All rights reserved. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Best Leonard Cohen Books Biographies and Books by the Songwriter. Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021. I want to start out by saying that I absolutely love the notion behind this book. Evans states that King was his partner in the robbery and that Steve served as the lookout. Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears. Definitely would recommend it as a quick read and dive into monster history, as well as a great resource to find other books the author recommends to look into more! When social conservatives oppose something, like - say -. Instead it's more about the social function of the monsterous and why people believe what they believe and how different folkloric monsters became popular at different times in history. Honoring authors by not reading other reviews ahead of time, I anticipated simple engagement with monstrous intrigue of the horrendous and hideous. The pages are littered with characterizations which demonize only a conservative set of ideas. The Best C.S. . Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! His footnotes have left me with a massive pile of additional books to read. 335 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in. That's What She Read by A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in America uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. incredibly rewarding and fulfilling reading. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. Dont have an account? I hated this book. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Baylor University Press (January 15, 2014). It is an alternative view of history through something that is not necessarily studied in such depth and over such a long period of time. At times in the book a movie director is taken at his word, the reason for his film given authorial intent. Component 2: Summary. Probably more 3.5 stars. Steve worries about why OBrien turned away from him after winning the case. Imprint: Baylor University Press. Sex and violence are the recurring themes of the book, but Poole always provides context for why they recur so often. The history of America -- one fear, one monster, at a time. Steve tells his story through handwritten notes as in a journal and a typewritten screenplay. W. Scott Poole, Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. Enter your email address to subscribe to That's What She Read and receive notifications of new posts by email. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. Renews March 11, 2023 Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. This exciting work blends the study of horror films, comic books, religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Acknowledgements: Thank you to Kelly Hughes from Dechant-Hughes for my review copy! For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. Perhaps monsters are made in our society more purposefully than we realize. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous"other"not only reflects society's fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts.Monsters in America is now online at www.monstersinamerica.com. Ten Important Women Theologians To Start Reading. Free trial is available to new customers only. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston, where he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. A must read for fans of horror and monsters! Petrocelli, OBrien, and Briggs make opening statements on the first day of Steves trial. While real monsters do exist, the reality of our own monstrosities mirrors not a national heritage as much as our human heritage. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. It is a frightening world we live in, yet the horrific things in our literature and culture play a vital part in helping us reach some understanding, and even some peace about them. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. . Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. I had trouble finding a consistent narrative in a book that talked about sea monsters, Bigfoot, Universal Movie Monsters, Freak-shows, and several other topics, and never spending enough time on any of them to feel like I was more informed after reading. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. An excellent history of the American obsession with monsters, Poole analyzes our religious and nationalist beliefs to see how we have dealt with the Other in our long, horrifying existence as a nation. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. If one would like to get into the spirit of monster mania during Halloween, no better place to begin is with the books that generated monster madness: Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and The Island of Dr. Moreau. "The American past reads like something of a horror movie, maybe even a low-budget slasher. He decides to make a movie about his experience. This is an important book that Id recommend very highly. This book is quite well researched, makes a few interesting connections, and is very accessible. Petrocelli presents the charges against the defendants. That being said, however, if you are a teacher who needs to get a class full of barely literate college freshmen to understand what it means to read / think about things in historical context, Poole's introduction, "The Bloody chords of Memory," is readable and accessible even for a group of resistant and vaguely engaged (at best) 18 year olds. Unfortunately, however, the writing just reads as super amateurish and unnatural--to the point where your brain feels exhausted after slogging through only a couple pages. Monsters In America challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, . Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. Pooles excoriation of one homogenous grouping belies the essence of the problem which is our human nature. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Monsters in America (2nd ed.) Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. Purchasing For my own part, I have been studying and writing about Gothic horror for some years. "New light" evangelists of the eighteenth century, enslaved African Americans, demagogic politicians, and modern American film-makers have used the devil to damn their enemies, explain the nature of evil and injustice, mount social crusades, construct a national identity, and express anxiety about matters as . Monsters in America: ", In 2014 he published _Vampira: Dark Goddess of Horror_ that looked at the life of 1950s horror host Maila Nurmi (a.k.a. It was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. A monster, in most cases, is something that challenges human morality or customs, or rather, a single group of people's moralities. Design by Booyah Creative. Title and sub-title encouraged my interest in securing a copy of Monsters in America for review. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. A lot of people gave it poor reviews, maybe because they didn't like what the author plainly demonstrated, that the real monsters in America are the Americans, mainly the white Americans. What would be made of the differences of the heavy, utilitarian coffee cups of the 1940s compared to the cups featuring Gary Larson cartoons so popular in the 1990s? Sometimes it can end up there. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. for a customized plan. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. A well informed, thoughtful, and indeed frightening angle of vision to a persistent and compelling American desire to be entertained by the grotesque and the horrific. Please wait while we process your payment. I heard the author on Coast to Coast, and even though he had that dry, flat Midwestern accent (sort of like Margaret Hamilton in "The Wizard of Oz") I knew I had to get the book. Foregrounding the racism and injustice of the legal system, the novel is a crime story, a courtroom drama, and an account of a young teens search for identity. Whether your interest is literature, American history, popular culture, race and ethnicity, women's studies, or religion, you would be happy reading this book. Human beings made him declare "war" by treating him like an enemy. Fyodor Dostoevsky Download all his Novels as Free Ebooks !!! Poole has set the bar ridiculously high for any future research exploring the locus of historical and cultural studies, particularly as it pertains to the horrific. Monsters In America challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, as well as the seeming ubiquity of the monsters of our past and probable future. on me, relax. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in America uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. An interesting and accessible overview of the link between American history and the monsters that fascinate them. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Poole seeks to undermine myths of American exceptionalism by locating monsters that he believes exist outside our psyche, in history. It is not a book on actual monsters but how Americans find monsters in different eras on social constructs. Monsters in America. FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. In "Monstrous beginnings," the introductory chapter of "Monsters in America: Our Historical, Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting" by W. Scott Poole, the author makes an argument, about how monsters were not only used as entertainment, but were also used as an excuse to, justify the offenses done to the Native Americans as well as the slaves brought from Africa by, the European settlers. Monsters in America instead should acknowledge monsters exist in every culture, every tribe, every era. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. Evil brutes exist inside and outside American neighborhoods. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. We are led to believe that bloody movies portray the sinister seditions of social conservativismthe ultimate grim reaper. Monsters refuse to be cordoned off in only one nationality, ethnicity, religion, or political mindset. Poole agrees telling us early and often You are the main character in this terror-filled little tale (xviii). He argues that our myth of conquering the monster has made us particularly inclined to turn other groups of human beings into monsters and to justify their oppression or domination. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. We've quickly looked at a wide variety of Native Cultures across the Americas. She tells the jury that James King and Steve Harmon, along with two other criminals, robbed a drugstore. Anything outside the norm brought about the birth of a monster, which can differ depending on the social, economic, cultural, or political influences of the time. Historian W. Scott Poole distinguishes himself by focusing on the American context, providing a history told through the personified expressions of our anxieties and fears. The tendency to view American monsters as primarily psychological archetypes ignores how closely they have reflected actual historical events and actual historical victims.". Continue to start your free trial. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. 20% For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. It is a frightening world we live in, yet the horrific things in our literature and culture play a vital part in helping us reach some understanding, and even some peace about them. Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. I. Poole is also a Professor of History at the College of Charleston where he teaches courses on monsters in American history, Satan in folk belief and pop culture and the history of religion and race in American life . Friday afternoon, July 17th & December, 5 months later. Evenhandedness exists in the books last sentence suggesting that liberal visions of social justice could create something worse (228). Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. I thought this was gonna be about different monsters from American folklore. Renews March 11, 2023 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Academic, yet very accessible, I was fascinated by this book, and it holds a very special distinction as the only book I was required to buy for a college class that has earned a permanent place on my bookshelf now that the class is over. Before you get all "He's Anti-American!" Not only do they continue to live in our midst, but, as historian Scott Poole shows, these monsters are an important part of our pasta hideous obsession America cannot seem to escape. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Select a location to see product availability. Please try again. OBrien tells Steve he will have to testify on his own behalf and put some distance between himself and King. Reprinted by permission. by Michelle | Nov 30, 2011 | Books Read in 2011, P Author | 0 comments, Title: Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting, Monsters are not just fears of the individual psyche, historian Scott Poole explains, but are concoctions of the public imagination, reactions to cultural influences, social change, and historical events. This was a great concept, but I struggled to even make it through the introduction. Subscribe now. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Historian W. Scott Poole distinguishes himself by focusing on the American context, providing a history told through the personified expressions of our anxieties and fears. Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I would love something like this for the UK. Petrocelli also calls an eyewitness, Mrs. Lorelle Henry, to the stand. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. Books About Race in America; Coretta Scott . The book reflects on the. Poole invites us into an important and enlightening, if disturbing, conversation about the very real monsters that inhabit the dark spaces of America's past. Everything from Communists, feminists, and foreigners to Candyman, Dracula, and The Exorcist are examined for the social attitudes to evil that they illuminate (and that we may believe, consciously or subconsciously). Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. In the follow-up to his first book. It blends popular culture and American history to present a unique perspective oh why and how we create and perpetuate the monsters we fear most. What is it that rumbles in the American unconscious that relates to the figures we see on the screen. You'll also receive an email with the link. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. Subscribe now. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. Social commentary may drive sub-text but money drives the movie. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter& download your FREE copy of this ebook! All rights reserved. Scholars will argue over interpretation because that is what scholars do. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). Unless specifically stated in the review, I have purchased all books reviewed. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Steve testifies that he did not take part in the drugstore robbery or discuss it with anyone before it happened. Michelle Shannon is licensed under a Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Pallas Athena Roman name: Minerva. (254) 710-3164. Yuckfest. Briggs makes the first closing argument in the case. But he also shows that the monstrous can be sympathetic, that it can also be used by the oppressed to speak back to the mainstream. In Virginia's sectional differences, what natural boundary marked the dividing line between the traditional thinkers and those desiring reforms to have greater representation? Sales Date: 2018-07-13. Indians, the physically disabled, African-Americans, deep-sea animals or mammals, science is a powerful motivator and caused society to vilify those that do not fit the acceptable mold. From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers, new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. Numerous scholars explore the cultural and political implications of monster and horror films for the times from which they emerge. Few scholars connect such implications across broader expanses of time to reveal how intrinsically monsters and the horrific have been bound up in the history of America. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Filmmakers create celluloid illusions with that in mind. Which one would you like to know more about and why? Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. Paperback; 9781481308823; Published: July 2018; $34.99. Poole never assumes a 1-1 metaphor, but he does show how common themes (the reemergence of the vampire at different points in American history, for example) are useful shorthand for working through these anxieties. Dorothy Sayers Poems Five of Our Favorites! Lovecraft in print. Poole stays far away from polemic and sticks to the facts. See a complete Character List for Monster, as well as in-depth analysis of its most important characters. Asa Briggs, Kings attorney, establishes that the police have no fingerprint evidence. Would that Poole could have written a chapter on one of the liberal American horror shows: 50 million babies slaughtered through this countrys abortion industry. religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. Novelist Sheri Holman calls the book "a subversive masterpiece.". March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 1960-1980 3. Based on new findings and bursting with new interpretations, it offers newcomers and old fans of the America's great horror writer new insight into his life, work, and continuing influence. Petrocelli refers to the defendants as monsters in the community. She then calls two witnesses. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% by W. Scott Poole. This item: Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting by W. Scott Poole Paperback $34.99 The Monster Theory Reader by Jeffrey Andrew Weinstock Paperback $45.11 On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears by Stephen T. Asma Paperback $28.95 What other items do customers buy after viewing this item? He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror. session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in America uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. They are manifestations of our society. In 2009, Poole published _Satan in America: The Devil We Know__ (Rowman and Littlefield), a cultural history of the image of Satan in American religion, history and popular culture. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. Highly recommended for horror or monster fans with an interest in American history; slightly less so for American history buffs with a hobby in monster entertainments. that Poole have used to describe the events of . (Gary Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures, Emory University), (J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion). However, this book was not only as easy read, but incredibly enlightening, eye-opening, and thrilling. I had to read this for a class (one I wasn't too stoked about, if I'm being honest) and went into it with a pretty closed mind. Learn how your comment data is processed. I am fiercely passionate about two things: History and Monsters. Reading this for research for a paper I am writing for a creative nonfiction class for college, but what an interesting book regardless! Jos Delgado, an employee of the drugstore, tells how he found Mr. Nesbitts body and noticed that cash and cigarettes were missing. Academic, yet very accessible, I was fascinated by this book, and it holds a very special distinction as the only book I was required to buy for a college class that has Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. damn good primer on monsters in America. Monster is usually used to reflect an individual's actions; especially, it shows for the wrong act of people. Then it is OBriens turn to present the defense of Steve. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. You can view our. Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. Dorothy Moore, a cousin of Kings, testifies that King was with her at the time of the robbery. ! His transitions from movie metaphors to American social ills are often strained if not unconvincing. Scott - For All Who Hunger - Feature Review, Mattix & Thomas, Eds - Christian Poetry in America Since, Copyright 2023 The Englewood Review of Books. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. The Theology of the Early Christians 10 Free Classics! The man immediately begins screaming about something hidden in the mist that is attacking and killing people. I do wish the author would've delved into certain subjects more as he did the last half of the book which was very compelling. All Rights Reserved. Steve records suicidal thoughts and violent prison incidents. She asks the jury to recall how Steve conducted himself on the witness stand and to compare Steve with Sal Zinzi, Bobo Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz before they decide who is believable. InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. Frontier wilderness beasts, Freddie Krueger, witches of Salem, alien invasions, and freak show oddities are some of the monstrous creatures.
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