For Professors: Exam Copies. Hes never less than canny on the pop culture angle: Dracula and Frankenstein are almost everywhere in the book, his insights into the fear of zombies are sharp, the comparison of Patrick Bateman and Dexter Morgan is inspired, and the analysis of fifties icons like Vampira and the Addams family are very good. 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 defense rests after Sawickis testimony. I highly recommend this for fans of the horror genre and anthropology. Discount, Discount Code Monster is usually used to reflect an individual's actions; especially, it shows for the wrong act of people. Twelve Important Theology Books of 2020!!! Subscribe now. "Monsters in America" is a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. I appreciated that in this second edition he shows how our language of the monstrous has played a role in instances like the police shootings of unarmed black people and how visions of dread play into Donald Trump's rhetoric. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. But honestly, most folks go to horror films for what they would say is the hell of it. Some people enjoy being scared, period. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. Whats worse is how these monster images exist even until today. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! 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. 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. Insightful and brilliant! "Rue Morgue" magazine called it "the best biography of H.P. I also think this could've used a second editor before being published as there are many typos and grammatical errors, as well as a few points that could've used some fact-checking. Petrocelli, the State prosecutor, calls more witnesses to establish the facts of the crime. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! 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. This is an amazing book. If you're looking for an introductory book to the subject, it's a great resource. In a nutshell, monsters for Poole are metaphors / stand-ins for whoever is loathed or feared in a certain historical context. We can anticipate either alien salvation or judgment from beyond. Renews March 11, 2023 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. However, at times the overt political messages can be more aggressive than effective, the book frequently covers more breadth than depth, and I was left without a clear sense of how monsters in America (US, presumably, rather than hemispheric) differed from those in international nightmares--or how the globalization of monster culture influenced American culture. 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. Books About Race in America; Coretta Scott . Reprinted by permission. 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. All affiliate income is used to support the blog. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. In Virginia's sectional differences, what natural boundary marked the dividing line between the traditional thinkers and those desiring reforms to have greater representation? Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. Fall 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. The man immediately begins screaming about something hidden in the mist that is attacking and killing people. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Friedrich Nietzsche believed we are the monsters. 2023 Baylor University Press. Steve worries about why OBrien turned away from him after winning the case. Sales Date: 2018-07-13. The evidence that Poole provides . For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. Wright Books An Introductory Reading Guide to The Theologians Work, Joy Harjo Poems Five of the Best Poems by the US Poet Laureate, John ODonohue Poems Four of our Favorites. Marshall1 Jenna Marshall Prof. Goff Writing 1010 12 September 2021 Summary Final In Scott Poole's essay Monsters in America Poole's main claim is that stories of monsters are associated with the troubled history of American history of racism, politics, class prejudice, gender disparity, and how society's fears can be equally showing of our divides. These monsters are created by multiple aspects of society and give meaning to the culture as well. Enter your email address to subscribe to That's What She Read and receive notifications of new posts by email. Dorothy Sayers Poems Five of Our Favorites! Honoring authors by not reading other reviews ahead of time, I anticipated simple engagement with monstrous intrigue of the horrendous and hideous. 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. This book is really good, a look at our monsters in a social conceptional way. James King has his own lawyer, Asa Briggs. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. You'll also receive an email with the link. By adding new discussions of the American West, Poole focuses intently on the Native American experience. the bell witch, the roanaoke colony, etc.) Sometimes it can end up there. A.Universal white male suffrage B.Public education C.Child labor D.Temperance. The atheist taught that inflicting suffering while enjoying the process is human nature. Discount, Discount Code Best Leonard Cohen Books Biographies and Books by the Songwriter. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Trick-or-treat! can only mean one thingHalloween. Solely focused on the horrors, readers would think that no Christian or church stood against the aberration of Scriptural teaching; but such was the case with missionaries and abolitionists. In fact, perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most., I've had a question for a long time. We are led to believe that bloody movies portray the sinister seditions of social conservativismthe ultimate grim reaper. No longer just something that goes bump in the night, Mr. Poole showcases that monsters have more meaning and shed more insight into society than one might have previously suspected. Study Guides, Friday afternoon, July 17th & December, 5 months later. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. (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.) Simplistic and not incredibly thoughtful, but useful for my purposes, Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2012. ", In 2014 he published _Vampira: Dark Goddess of Horror_ that looked at the life of 1950s horror host Maila Nurmi (a.k.a. Separated by significant eras in American history, a reader gets a clear picture of how the definition of a monster changes depending on the cultural and political events of an era. This was a great concept, but I struggled to even make it through the introduction. They are manifestations of our society. 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 . She continues to assert that Steve served as the lookout for the robbery and is as guilty as the others. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. 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. When meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. , Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. Poole summarizes, Perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most (164). You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Whether your interest is literature, American history, popular culture, race and ethnicity, women's studies, or religion, you would be happy reading this book. The Monster argues that his murderousness is not his fault. They are created to explain racism, cover up worse monstrosities and signal changes and the state of the nation at the time. From 19th century sea serpents to our current. A.They would back the federal government against another state B.They would support, What issue was at the root of the nullification crisis of 1832, which turned many Virginia Republicans against Andrew Jackson? Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. 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. But a third interpretive option exists. Paperback; 9781481308823; Published: July 2018; $34.99. The book made a few strong points, but ultimately it was a mediocre read. Steves lawyer, Kathy OBrien, urges Steve to take his situation seriously because this crime could put him in jail for twenty years or more. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2017. But real monsters collect different trophies; they are no laughing matter. 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. Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. 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. At times in the book a movie director is taken at his word, the reason for his film given authorial intent. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 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. Why are we scared of this person? is always a question behind each chapter and Poole is careful to never reduce it purely to matters of sociology or psychology while still using those tools of analysis. All rights reserved. 62 reviews Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. Synopsis: From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. An unexpected guilty pleasure! He also makes notes about his movie and about details he observes in court. 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. The strongest witness for the State is Richard Bobo Evans, who admits that he took part in the robbery. What is it that rumbles in the American unconscious that relates to the figures we see on the screen. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% is lively and entertaining throughout. Well-written and engaging,Monsters in Americais a must-read for anyone fascinated by history or monsters or both. What becomes disturbingly apparent is that most of Americas hatred of the Other is based in Christian religious belief. Associated with war, cleverness, and wit, it is no surprise that she favors Odysseus. These summaries should not . All opinions expressed are uniquely my own. I would love something like this for the UK. I feel like the author did a great job at deconstructing America's social issues and how they connect to the monsters/fears/entertainment of the time. From early American ghost stories to Jordan Peeles Get Out (2017), Scott Poole expertly tracks the importance of monsters and monstrosity in American culture. Just watch any local news program and you'll see what I mean. Lovecraft_. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. ! His transitions from movie metaphors to American social ills are often strained if not unconvincing. Monsters in America Project. Monsters in America is W. Scott Pooles interpretive history. Visit the new website for more about the book, upcoming events, and to keep up with Scott Poole's blog. Bram Stoker Award finalist W. Scott Poole is the author of numerous books and articles on monsters and mayhem in popular culture. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. Steve testifies that he did not take part in the drugstore robbery or discuss it with anyone before it happened. Picked up on a whim, I certainly got the expected analysis of horror movies as a way for Americans to understand and react to their culture, but the author also makes the (very strong and well supported) argument that far from being a way to understand the world around us, monsters are also used by those in power to crush those without under their heel while also ignoring and excusing the fact that they're doing so. (The medical examiners evidence suggests that the shooter was probably right-handed.) She identifies James King as being one of the two young men. You can view our. Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. Evenhandedness exists in the books last sentence suggesting that liberal visions of social justice could create something worse (228). White Doe" disguised the true relationship between the European settlers and Native Americans. The guards take the bleeding dude away. She tells the jury that James King and Steve Harmon, along with two other criminals, robbed a drugstore. new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Friday afternoon, July 17th & December, 5 months later. He wrote in his journal OBrien tells Steve that her job is to make him a human being in the eyes of the jury. Sex and violence are the recurring themes of the book, but Poole always provides context for why they recur so often. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. 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 Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. Monsters in America: After readingMonsters in America, a reader will view monsters in a completely different light. He states that he knows James King and Osvaldo Cruz, but only casually. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Excerpt. $24.99 Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. Best Johnny Cash Books Biographies and More! Dont have an account? Spring 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. Analysis The monster tells Victor:"You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being." Victor refuses and then later relents to the monster's wishes. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston, where he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. Petrocelli, OBrien, and Briggs make opening statements on the first day of Steves trial. The history of the United States offers a chamber of horrors, with clergy transforming the Native American other into demonic beings, mad scientists turning state-funded laboratories into torture chambers, and the photographic revolution of the Victorian era turning toward a morbid fascination with the bodies of the dead and the creation of the category of 'gore.' for a group? He wrote in his journal. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. Anne Bradstreet Poems Five of our Favorites by the Puritan Poet! Before you get all "He's Anti-American!" He decides to make a movie about his experience. Date. Contact us Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. Monsters, he says, are "cultural constructions of the terrible that define what it is we subconsciously fear and what it is we're told to hate or love.". In her closing argument for the State, Petrocelli stresses the importance of the stolen cigarettes in proving who committed the crime. Component 2: Summary. From 19th century sea serpents to our current Publishers Weekly session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. (one code per order). for a customized plan. Hafez Poems Five of Our Favorites from the Divan of Hafez, N.T. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. I wasn't ready for the overtly sociological approach of the book, and was expecting a history, as alluded to in the title of the book. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Monsters in America instead should acknowledge monsters exist in every culture, every tribe, every era. While I appreciate and agree with his argument that monsters are "real" because their effects on history / on people's lives have been real, I dislike his assumption that people in the past were the obvious victims of prejudice and misplaced fear and that they were not insightful or intelligent enough to realize what they were truly afraid of. "The American past reads like something of a horror movie, maybe even a low-budget slasher. Ten Important Women Theologians To Start Reading. Perhaps monsters are made in our society more purposefully than we realize. I suppose history could be read into just about any object. is available now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app. Dracula (1931) is based on the fear of foreigners and disease. Highly recommended." Jenn's Bookshelves "In Monsters in America, Scott Poole expertly weaves together folklore, media studies, and some of the more disturbing moments in American history to remind us of the vital roles monsters play in our culture. Briggs establishes that the police had shown photos of King to Mrs. Henry before she picked him out of a lineup. Starting with the Puritan era and the fear of witches and ending with the modern-day fascination with the monsters within us, i.e. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. (one code per order). Then it is OBriens turn to present the defense of Steve. If you've got an interest in horror, this is definitely worth a read. 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. 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. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). Call me crazy, but I don't think a historian's role ought to be the reaffirmation of modern feelings of superiority over everyone else who has ever lived. Omer-Sherman, Ranen. The book is rich in history, pop culture references, and analysis. Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. 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. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. I found it informative, fascinating, thought-provoking and well-written. On Being with Krista Tippett Top 10 Best Episodes! Probably more 3.5 stars. 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. Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. I seem to be having bad luck with books lately, but the writing style just didnt connect with me. Insightful and brilliant! 1960-1980 3. No historically reflective Christian would disagree with Pooles castigation of wrongdoings by some Americans. Not only that, but Sandra Petrocelli, the State prosecutor, is a very good lawyer. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. Pooles excoriation of one homogenous grouping belies the essence of the problem which is our human nature. "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 . Steve also states that he was not at the drugstore on the day of the crime but was walking around thinking about his movie. 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. Satan in America tells the story of America's complicated relationship with the devil. Especially enlightening is the the animistic portrayal and subsequent fear of African-Americans that has permeated society since they were first brought to the Americas on slave ships. Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter& download your FREE copy of this ebook! 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 Best C.S. 1945-1960 2.) We've quickly looked at a wide variety of Native Cultures across the Americas. He reveals how monster stories went west to Sand Creek and Wounded Knee, bringing the preoccupation with monsters into the twentieth century through the American Indian Movement. Asa Briggs, Kings attorney, establishes that the police have no fingerprint evidence. And I don't have to mention the meaning of all the zombie movies. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. OBrien gathers her papers and moves away, leaving Steve standing with outstretched arms. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. In this way he resembles Frankenstein, who alienates himself by pursuing forbidden knowledge. 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. Frankenstein (1931) happens when somebody tries to make a more perfect human. Please provide specific examples to support your answers. I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Powells Books and IndieBound. but on the whole, an engaging and thought provoking read. Scholars will argue over interpretation because that is what scholars do. See a complete Character List for Monster, as well as in-depth analysis of its most important characters. It's also a great way of introducing the idea that you can use different lenses/ways of writing to introduce and discuss topics. The author explores American History and how people's fears and reactions to changes in society both affected and were affected by monsters in print and film. I hoped to expand my interaction in the genre, albeit from an American point of view. Judging from the verbiage, Pooles sub-text for the American monster is conservative-Christian-white-heterosexual-Republican. We are sorry. Monsters and American History W. Scott Poole offers many unique explanations for the creation and story telling of monsters in his essayMonsters in America.Poole examines the cultural history of the monster and how it intersects with American history. Which one would you like to know more about and why? At the very end, Poole implies that for what has gone before, it could very well get worse. He decides to make a movie about his experience. 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. Imprint: Baylor University Press. uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Definitions of the monster, he adds, change over time and with each generation. 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. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? The book reflects on the. Copyright Thats What She Read 2009-2013. Free trial is available to new customers only. that Poole have used to describe the events of . The Theology of the Early Christians 10 Free Classics! 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. America, like all nations, is made up of monstrous human beings. It is lively and engaging and well researched. 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. 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