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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. This is an amazing book. 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! 62 reviews Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. 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. John Wesley Sermons - The 7 Best Sermons from the Founder of Methodism. The scary tales found in the classic texts remind usno matter our nationality, ethnicity, or political persuasionthe monster is us. Its a story that begins with the history of the dark lady of late night horror and branches out into a discussion of the Beats, Bebop Jazz, the birth of rock and roll and the social protest movements of the 1960s. More importantly, what is the definition of a monster? 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 Monster argues that his murderousness is not his fault. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. The medical examiner states the time of Mr. Nesbitts death. Monsters in America (2nd ed.) 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 does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. 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. 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. "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 . We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. Mary Oliver Essays 10 Prose Selections to Read for Free Online! I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Powells Books and IndieBound. 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? The little monsters who come to our doors for candy at Halloween are small reminders of our large problem. In her closing argument for the State, Petrocelli stresses the importance of the stolen cigarettes in proving who committed the crime. IE- minorities = what we are anxious about / obsessed with = the monstrous = monsters. It is lively and engaging and well researched. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. Probably more 3.5 stars. Monsters refuse to be cordoned off in only one nationality, ethnicity, religion, or political mindset. (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. for a group? We can anticipate either alien salvation or judgment from beyond. Salvatore Zinzi, a prisoner at the Rikers Island jail, testifies that another prisoner, Wendell Bolden, told him about the drugstore robbery. Mr. Pooles evidence is as intriguing as it is informative. The horrible treatment of indigenous peoples and slaverys practice is sin that stains Americas history. Sometimes it can end up there. This book is a wonderful introduction to American history through the lens of monsters. 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. However, his interpretations and implications are nothing less than threatening to whatever status quo our authorities would prefer us to maintain. Another witness testifies that King is left-handed. 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. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! 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. 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. Subscribe now. The Best C.S. Its not a salacious book, either. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Dorothy Sayers Where to Start with her Mystery Novels? If it bleeds, it reads. Please wait while we process your payment. This is such an interesting and compelling about our connection to the monstrous and the monstrous' role in expressing national anxieties in our popular media. Vampira) to explore the history of American sexuality, gender relations and the rebirth of the horror film in post-WW2 America. 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. Free trial is available to new customers only. . The book takes you from the trenches at Ypres to the backlots of Universal Studios and introduces you to the artists, writers, and directors who shaped the world of horror we know today from their own encounter with the carnage of the Great War. Mrs. Henry testifies to being in the drugstore and seeing two young Black men arguing with the store owner. And I don't have to mention the meaning of all the zombie movies. $24.99 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. Usually just called Athena, this goddess emerges from Zeus's head fully-grown and armed. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014. 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. In his comments on the 1931 "Frankenstein" W. Scott Poole, relates that the idea of the "abnormal brain" that Fritz grabs for Henry Frankenstein being the cause of the monster's murderous mentality being a reflection of the "scientific rascism" of the day. That's What She Read by Social commentary may drive sub-text but money drives the movie. 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. It is not a book on actual monsters but how Americans find monsters in different eras on social constructs. Both belief about the supernatural and the supernatural itself creates creatures which slither into our thinking-being-behaving. Sex and violence are the recurring themes of the book, but Poole always provides context for why they recur so often. 1960-1980 3. , W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. In 2016, he wrote the Bram Stoker Finalist _In the Mountains of Madness: The Life and Extraordinary Afterlife of H.P. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. Imprint: Baylor University Press. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. The man immediately begins screaming about something hidden in the mist that is attacking and killing people. The image freezes as the screenplay ends. Fifteen Important Theology Books of 2022!!! Evil brutes exist inside and outside American neighborhoods. Monster in America is a literature book by W. Scott Poole. Subject I have a lot of interest in and the author seems to have done a lot of work/research. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own. Monster presents through the obvious things, for example, krakens or werewolves. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Chapters three and four in my copy of the book, for instance, are littered with questions: How did we get here? This is a logical leap! and What??! Just about all the scarey things that crawl into popular media hail from the leaf-littered shadowy forests that haunt the American mind. the bell witch, the roanaoke colony, etc.) . Dorothy Sayers Poems Five of Our Favorites! The different types of monsters, whether cultural, supernatural, or moral, all contribute to the meaning of American culture. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Twelve Important Theology Books of 2021!!! You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. Other times Poole relies too heavily on social interpreters for his connections. Newer movies like "Terminator," shows what happens when we place our trust in machines. Michelle Shannon is licensed under a The brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades rules the underworld, the realm of the dead, with his wife, Persephone. Monsters are here to stay. Continue to start your free trial. Subscribe now. 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. Marilynne Robinson 10 Freely Available Essays! Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. Yuckfest. 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. No historically reflective Christian would disagree with Pooles castigation of wrongdoings by some Americans. If you, like me, are both a person that loves old monster movies and cares about history, you'll find this book to be a fun read. Poole wants to tell a story and take his readers on a journey, and he definitely does so. What is it that rumbles in the American unconscious that relates to the figures we see on the screen. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. is available now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app. Filmmakers create celluloid illusions with that in mind. In the follow-up to his first book, Satan in America, Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. Our main man wonders how anyone can get used to the slammer. 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. Ten Important Women Theologians To Start Reading. Dallas Willard Books Seven Essential Titles to Read! Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. Starting with the Puritan era and the fear of witches and ending with the modern-day fascination with the monsters within us, i.e. St. Augustine Best Books on His Life and Work, Holy Sonnets John Donne Complete Text. Its cohesive, cursory, and has a smattering of typos. ! His transitions from movie metaphors to American social ills are often strained if not unconvincing. Monsters in America instead should acknowledge monsters exist in every culture, every tribe, every era. Excerpt. 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). Flashbacks in Steves screenplay show Steve playing on the streets, listening to Mr. Sawicki, his film club mentor, and hanging out with James King and Osvaldo Cruz. 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. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. Briggs makes the first closing argument in the case. Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. Read the chapter-by-chapter Summary & Analysis, a Full Book Summary, or Full Book Analysis of Monster. 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! After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. "Rue Morgue" magazine called it "the best biography of H.P. OBrien gathers her papers and moves away, leaving Steve standing with outstretched arms. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. 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 site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. At times in the book a movie director is taken at his word, the reason for his film given authorial intent. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. W. Scott Poole. 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. The pages are littered with characterizations which demonize only a conservative set of ideas. Wed love to have you back! Thoughts: What makes a monster a monster? 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. Pooles excoriation of one homogenous grouping belies the essence of the problem which is our human nature. Poole agrees telling us early and often You are the main character in this terror-filled little tale (xviii). I loved this book. 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. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. Contact us The second edition of Monsters leads readers deeper into Americas tangled past to show how monsters continue to haunt contemporary American ideology. Amazon has encountered an error. Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! This book is quite well researched, makes a few interesting connections, and is very accessible. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. 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. Please wait while we process your payment. SparkNotes PLUS 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. Well-researched and insightful, the writing of the text is also energetic and engaging. All rights reserved. Dorothy Moore, a cousin of Kings, testifies that King was with her at the time of the robbery. It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. But honestly, most folks go to horror films for what they would say is the hell of it. Some people enjoy being scared, period. Monsters in America Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. "Angels, Monsters, and Jews: Intersections of Queer and Jewish Identity in Kushner's "Angels in America."" PMLA 113, no. From early American ghost stories to Jordan Peeles Get Out (2017), Scott Poole expertly tracks the importance of monsters and monstrosity in American culture. In a nutshell, monsters for Poole are metaphors / stand-ins for whoever is loathed or feared in a certain historical context. 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. 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. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Friday afternoon, July 17th & December, 5 months later. When social conservatives oppose something, like - say -. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Some of his writings can be accessed at www.warpandwoof.org. After readingMonsters in America, a reader will view monsters in a completely different light. The book is rich in history, pop culture references, and analysis. In the end, though, I could easily see assigning parts of this book to undergraduates. She continues to assert that Steve served as the lookout for the robbery and is as guilty as the others. Petrocelli presents the charges against the defendants. Renews March 11, 2023 From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers. If you will, a shining city on hill built on the bodies of natives, blacks, women, and anyone else we dont like very much. Contact us Free trial is available to new customers only. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. If you're looking for an introductory book to the subject, it's a great resource. 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. Another problem for Steve is that James King, a young Black hood, is Steves co-defendant. Purchasing $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% American history comes at us dripping with gore, victims lying scattered on the ground, eldritch moonlight revealing creeping horrors you never learned from your eighth grade history textbook. When meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. The two defense counsels, OBrien and Briggs, establish that the witnesses are testifying for the State in return for reduced sentences. I'm just saying that throughout the country's history, there have been some pretty dark times. Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. Steve testifies that he did not take part in the drugstore robbery or discuss it with anyone before it happened. Monsters In America challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, . He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. (Gary Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures, Emory University), (J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion). Monsters in America is W. Scott Pooles interpretive history. Classic Gratitude Poems Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, MORE. Human beings made him declare "war" by treating him like an enemy. OBrien follows and reminds the jury that the State has not proved any of its charges against Steve. Alien invasions prompt the authors apt comment, The otherness of the monster can embody the sum of all fears but also an escape from fear (131). A monster, in most cases, is something that challenges human morality or customs, or rather, a single group of people's moralities. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. 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. Lovecraft_. Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com, "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities. for a group? 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. on 50-99 accounts. See a complete Character List for Monster, as well as in-depth analysis of its most important characters. Henri Nouwen Books An Introductory Reading Guide. 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.Pooles central argument in Monsters in America is that monster tales intertwine with Americas troubled history of racism, politics, class struggle, and gender inequality. Hardback: Baylor University Press, 2011. The opening chapter introduces several motifs that will be present throughout the story. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. The evidence that Poole provides . 2023 Baylor University Press. Detectives Karyl and Williams describe their arrival at the crime scene. Judging from the verbiage, Pooles sub-text for the American monster is conservative-Christian-white-heterosexual-Republican. Edna St. Vincent Millay Five of our Favorite Poems ! Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Insightful and brilliant! Written in an accessible, smart and entertaining way, this is a fantastic book. Want 100 or more? Not only that, but Sandra Petrocelli, the State prosecutor, is a very good lawyer. But Africans were still human and had their morals, yet the Europeans saw them as a type of monster during the slave trade era. A must read for fans of horror and monsters! Perhaps monsters are made in our society more purposefully than we realize. 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. In the follow-up to his first book, Satan in America, Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. He also doesn't shy away from the role of the monstrous in helping maintain oppressive regimes and the status quo. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% A.The James River B.The, Which was NOT an attempted reform movement in antebellum Virginia? Theme of monsters and identity synthesis and argument essay, Finaldocx, July 3092 Satisfied Bourassa to Attend Meeting on Unity August 692 Unity Accord, 4303C3A4-8682-474F-B21B-2E5B65A0CB1A.jpeg, Up to now it is still uncertain why Beatty made the decisions to wait until all, Q4 Which method did the earliest spam filter use to stop spam Select one, A Identify a health problem and risk factors that are linked to low or no fitness activity.docx, Question 28 The established that the church would be free of royal dominion and, Answersto2 Answersto2 Xguiltyofattemptedmurderbecauseshehas, The unified database will be critical in achieving the goal of JIT manufacturing, Exam Topic 1 Which of the following would BEST provide detective and corrective, Mistakes made in the system analysis stage show up in Select one a system, What precedence did Virginian leaders set in their rhetoric concerning the nullification crisis of 1832? It's no secret that America is a little messed up. Friedrich Nietzsche believed we are the monsters. Steve worries about why OBrien turned away from him after winning the case. 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. It's also a great way of introducing the idea that you can use different lenses/ways of writing to introduce and discuss topics. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! I was thrilled to find a book that went with that mindset. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster.