Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. (And as someone who lives with a history PhD and who briefly pursued graduate studies in history myself, I like to believe that I know from whence I speak.) Monsters In America challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, . It's rarely happy news being reported. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Which one would you like to know more about and why? Purchasing From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. (one code per order). I suppose history could be read into just about any object. But too often he ascribes American injustices with little more than a metaphorical connection to monster movies. 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. During the robbery, Aguinaldo Nesbitt, the fifty-five-year-old owner of the store, was killed. ", Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. He decides to make a movie about his experience. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Sometimes it can end up there. Not only is America guilty of creating its own horrors, failure to acknowledge monsters also creates them (23). Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? 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. Mary Oliver Essays 10 Prose Selections to Read for Free Online! Pooles constant harangue against anything conservative is a thin criticism to begin, stretched beyond any semblance of recognition by the end of the book. Michelle Shannon is licensed under a Sawicki states that he believes in Steves honesty as a filmmaker and as a person. Date. 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. Poole walks readers through the American history of monsters, matching horror trends to American epochs, where it turns out our sociopolitical climate influences the monsters we laud and follow in fiction, film, and the media. The book is rich in history, pop culture references, and analysis. I was thrilled to find a book that went with that mindset. Want 100 or more? After readingMonsters in America, a reader will view monsters in a completely different light. 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. However, this book was FABULOUS! An unexpected guilty pleasure! Both belief about the supernatural and the supernatural itself creates creatures which slither into our thinking-being-behaving. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Evenhandedness exists in the books last sentence suggesting that liberal visions of social justice could create something worse (228). 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. Then it is OBriens turn to present the defense of Steve. . It's also a great way of introducing the idea that you can use different lenses/ways of writing to introduce and discuss topics. 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. The Theology of the Early Christians 10 Free Classics! Poole does justice to judgment; the focus of some horror films. 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! Synopsis: From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. The Monster argues that his murderousness is not his fault. , W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. This proven textbook also studies the social location of contemporary horror films, exploring, for example, how Get Out emerged from the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. 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. After Steve testifies, OBrien puts Mr. Sawicki, his film teacher, on the stand. Fall 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! damn good primer on monsters in America. 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. Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. If you've got an interest in horror, this is definitely worth a read. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. Filmmakers create celluloid illusions with that in mind. Dont have an account? Best Leonard Cohen Books Biographies and Books by the Songwriter. 2023 Project MUSE. Subscribe now. Monsters highlight both the positives and negatives in any society, and as such, require the reader to open ones mind and accept that the history taught in history books may not be the truth. At the very end, Poole implies that for what has gone before, it could very well get worse. Spring 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. In Monster, Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon's trial. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. Enter your email address to subscribe to That's What She Read and receive notifications of new posts by email. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. 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). In this way he resembles Frankenstein, who alienates himself by pursuing forbidden knowledge. There was a problem loading your book clubs. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. The new edition extends this analysis to shed light on some of the darker developments in recent American political culture. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. Poole summarizes, Perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most (164). Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. An interesting and accessible overview of the link between American history and the monsters that fascinate them. 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. Sophfronia Scott - The Seeker and the Monk [Review], James Atwood - Collateral Damage - Brief Review, Emily M.D. Please try again. Dorothy Moore, a cousin of Kings, testifies that King was with her at the time of the robbery. Please wait while we process your payment. Interesting as a surface-level exploration of "Monster Theory". Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. St. Augustine Best Books on His Life and Work, Holy Sonnets John Donne Complete Text. This book is a wonderful introduction to American history through the lens of monsters. Jos Delgado, an employee of the drugstore, tells how he found Mr. Nesbitts body and noticed that cash and cigarettes were missing. Thoughts on books, family, and life in one impressive package. FABULOUS! 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. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Edna St. Vincent Millay Five of our Favorite Poems ! Poole explains his parameters of a monsters nature from the outside, in: monsters are a product of our collective hatreds outside the human psyche. By so delimiting his interpretation, Poole mirrors his stated concern for other theories that monster interpretations are reductive and overdeterminative (13-18). $24.99 Hafez Poems Five of Our Favorites from the Divan of Hafez, N.T. 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. We are sorry. Insightful and brilliant! Forged from a partnership between a university press and a library, Project MUSE is a trusted part of the academic and scholarly community it serves. "Angels, Monsters, and Jews: Intersections of Queer and Jewish Identity in Kushner's "Angels in America."" PMLA 113, no. W. Scott Poole. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. These monsters are created by multiple aspects of society and give meaning to the culture as well. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. As W. Scott Poole's text will serve as the conceptual framework for the course, this assignment seeks to promote regular critical engagement with the text. A Midsummer Night's Dream (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Macbeth (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Julius Caesar (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Othello (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Twelfth Night (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes Poole wants to tell a story and take his readers on a journey, and he definitely does so. Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2012. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and. Human beings made him declare "war" by treating him like an enemy. His footnotes have left me with a massive pile Poole walks readers through the American history of monsters, matching horror trends to American epochs, where it turns out our sociopolitical climate influences the monsters we laud and follow in fiction, film, and the media. Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. 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. Dorothy Sayers Poems Five of Our Favorites! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The State rests its case. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. Suppose someone wanted to trace American history through the common coffee cup. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter& download your FREE copy of this ebook! American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America - Kindle edition by Godfrey, Linda S.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. Monsters in America (2nd ed.) Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. Yuckfest. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. Browning's research, including extensive field work in New Orleans, has uncovered a subculture of . Simplistic and not incredibly thoughtful, but useful for my purposes, Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2012. 2715 North Charles StreetBaltimore, Maryland, USA 21218. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Scholars will argue over interpretation because that is what scholars do. I took copious notes in the margins, and will be using this book frequently as I continue to work on my own YA horror fiction (e.g. The second edition of Monsters leads readers deeper into Americas tangled past to show how monsters continue to haunt contemporary American ideology. Steve also states that he was not at the drugstore on the day of the crime but was walking around thinking about his movie. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. 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. He decides to make a movie about his experience. | I would love something like this for the UK. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. A must read for fans of horror and monsters! Societal values impact individuals only as much as we understand an individuals values. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston, where he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). 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. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Get help and learn more about the design. He wrote in his journal White Doe" disguised the true relationship between the European settlers and Native Americans. 1960-1980 3. 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. "Monsters in America" is a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. Want 100 or more? 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. $24.99 Free trial is available to new customers only. Available Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. These summaries should not . All Rights Reserved. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. She continues to assert that Steve served as the lookout for the robbery and is as guilty as the others. uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. For him, this place is the opposite of realhe has to do everything in front of strangers. Visit the new website for more about the book, upcoming events, and to keep up with Scott Poole's blog. 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? John Wesley Sermons - The 7 Best Sermons from the Founder of Methodism. Howard Thurman Books An Introductory Reading Guide. This book is quite well researched, makes a few interesting connections, and is very accessible. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Poole seeks to undermine myths of American exceptionalism by locating monsters that he believes exist outside our psyche, in history. One Bear Place 97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363 Fall 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! This well-written and thought provoking book examines what scares us and what monsters in popular entertainment have to say about our fears and values in society. Component 3: Vocabulary. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. Scott - For All Who Hunger - Feature Review, Mattix & Thomas, Eds - Christian Poetry in America Since, Copyright 2023 The Englewood Review of Books. Penn State folklorist Bill Ellis called the book "required reading for . I hoped to expand my interaction in the genre, albeit from an American point of view. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Poole suggests monsters are created by America to mask its own monstrosities or monsters exist which interpret American culture. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. In the follow-up to his first book. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Author W. Scott Poole takes a look at America's fascination with the macabre in his book. 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. does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. Subject I have a lot of interest in and the author seems to have done a lot of work/research. Bram Stoker Award finalist W. Scott Poole is the author of numerous books and articles on monsters and mayhem in popular culture. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. Monsters in America does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. If it bleeds, it reads. Wendell Berry Poems Seven of Our Favorites!
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