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. 2023 Baylor University Press. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. 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. Excerpt. Starting with the Puritan era and the fear of witches and ending with the modern-day fascination with the monsters within us, i.e. Monsters in America: Monsters in America Project. I think that what makes the book riveting is that despite the particular social factors and grisly historical events, the book is about the Other in media. A must read for fans of horror and monsters! She identifies James King as being one of the two young men. damn good primer on monsters in America. Steve worries about why OBrien turned away from him after winning the case. Other times Poole relies too heavily on social interpreters for his connections. Which one would you like to know more about and why? Purchasing In a nutshell, monsters for Poole are metaphors / stand-ins for whoever is loathed or feared in a certain historical context. Poole seeks to undermine myths of American exceptionalism by locating monsters that he believes exist outside our psyche, in history. uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. Please use a different way to share. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Baylor University Press (January 15, 2014). James King has his own lawyer, Asa Briggs. I often use this in my Freshman Writing courses to show that writing doesn't have to be boring. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. American history from the past to the present. 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. Poole wants to tell a story and take his readers on a journey, and he definitely does so. A.The James River B.The, Which was NOT an attempted reform movement in antebellum Virginia? Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. We can anticipate either alien salvation or judgment from beyond. Pooles book becomes a tired screed against those whose political-social viewpoints are antithetic to his own. 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. Poole does justice to judgment; the focus of some horror films. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Bloodshed and hatred are universals in human nature and Pooles book is a very unsettling history of its American manifestation. 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. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. 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.' Detectives Karyl and Williams describe their arrival at the crime scene. Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. Definitions of the monster, he adds, change over time and with each generation. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). We are sorry. by W. Scott Poole. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. The brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades rules the underworld, the realm of the dead, with his wife, Persephone. Wendell Berry Poems Seven of Our Favorites! From early American ghost stories to Jordan Peeles Get Out (2017), Scott Poole expertly tracks the importance of monsters and monstrosity in American culture. But then, I dislike any historical book that loses its sense of historical relativity as well as any book about phenomena that automatically assumes a phenomenon is false and therefore ripe for being disproved and easily rationalized away. Thoughts: What makes a monster a monster? Petrocelli refers to the defendants as monsters in the community. She then calls two witnesses. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. 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. Insightful and brilliant! She explains that some jurors have decided against him just because he is young and Black, so Steve has to make the jury see him as different from the other defendants. Review: Monsters in America by W. Scott Poole 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. Just watch any local news program and you'll see what I mean. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston, where he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. His new book, forthcoming this fall and available for pre-order, is _Wasteland: The Great War and the Roots of Modern Horror_. 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. 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. Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources. 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. 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. Jos Delgado, an employee of the drugstore, tells how he found Mr. Nesbitts body and noticed that cash and cigarettes were missing. 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. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in. Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. Michelle Shannon is licensed under a When social conservatives oppose something, like - say -. These summaries should not exceed one page in length. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. 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. Probably more 3.5 stars. 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. Omer-Sherman, Ranen. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. She coaches Steve on how to answer questions on the witness stand. It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. I hated this book. Visit the new website for more about the book, upcoming events, and to keep up with Scott Poole's blog. I hoped to expand my interaction in the genre, albeit from an American point of view. Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. Poole argues that "Monstrous metaphors in American historical life have a way of becoming realthey are intertwined with attitudes and social structures that make the monster possible. , Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. For me, there are intertwined. This book is a wonderful introduction to American history through the lens of monsters. (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. Scott Poole's Monsters in America Examines Our Fears - Dread Central 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. Fyodor Dostoevsky Download all his Novels as Free Ebooks !!! Well-researched and insightful, the writing of the text is also energetic and engaging. . 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. It is not a book on actual monsters but how Americans find monsters in different eras on social constructs. 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. 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. Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. He rightly frets over our technology which ineffectively obscures the divine and so Americans create vampire stories which take Gods place (59): Americans are still attempting to apprehend mystery in the midst of supernatural confusion (11). 1945-1960 2.) Monsters in America (2nd ed.) by W. Scott Poole (ebook) - eBooks.com Dont have an account? More than mere metaphors, they are creations of human fears and human ignorance. The book made a few strong points, but ultimately it was a mediocre read. on me, relax. 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. Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. Frankenstein (1931) happens when somebody tries to make a more perfect human. Available He also makes notes about his movie and about details he observes in court. The tendency to view American monsters as primarily psychological archetypes ignores how closely they have reflected actual historical events and actual historical victims.". for a customized plan. Evans states that King was his partner in the robbery and that Steve served as the lookout. 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.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. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. 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. Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. 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. Browning's research, including extensive field work in New Orleans, has uncovered a subculture of . The atheist taught that inflicting suffering while enjoying the process is human nature. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. After Steve testifies, OBrien puts Mr. Sawicki, his film teacher, on the stand. Please try again. Best Johnny Cash Books Biographies and More! 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. An interesting and accessible overview of the link between American history and the monsters that fascinate them. Mr. Pooles evidence is as intriguing as it is informative. Briggs makes the first closing argument in the case. [Pooles] book is sufficiently clear and engaging for general readers to enjoy and would make a worthwhile addition to undergraduate course in American history or culture. But a third interpretive option exists. Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. | 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. Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021. as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. During the robbery, Aguinaldo Nesbitt, the fifty-five-year-old owner of the store, was killed. 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. Steve records suicidal thoughts and violent prison incidents. Monsters in America instead should acknowledge monsters exist in every culture, every tribe, every era. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. The fear of anything not considered normal or not well-understood e.g. A monster, in most cases, is something that challenges human morality or customs, or rather, a single group of people's moralities. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. Lewis Biography (And Other Biographies /Companion Guides)! Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Contact us Wed love to have you back! Whats worse is how these monster images exist even until today. I highly recommend this for fans of the horror genre and anthropology. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. SparkNotes PLUS With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. This isnt a book for the squeamish as Poole details how a horror film like Candyman is based in fact to a great deal. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. I seem to be having bad luck with books lately, but the writing style just didnt connect with me. At times in the book a movie director is taken at his word, the reason for his film given authorial intent. Fall 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! He wrote in his journal. 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. The Monster argues that his murderousness is not his fault. Honoring authors by not reading other reviews ahead of time, I anticipated simple engagement with monstrous intrigue of the horrendous and hideous. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. 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. American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Henri Nouwen Books An Introductory Reading Guide. 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. 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. Date. 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The Mist (2007) - Plot - IMDb Stamped on American culture, the phrase brings to mind images of costumes, plastic masks, and parents holding the hands of little monsters as they collect candy calories. does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. They Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. 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. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past. These summaries should not . For my own part, I have been studying and writing about Gothic horror for some years. What could we extrapolate on the ways we lived and what we believed during each era? Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. He also doesn't shy away from the role of the monstrous in helping maintain oppressive regimes and the status quo. The scary tales found in the classic texts remind usno matter our nationality, ethnicity, or political persuasionthe monster is us. Purchasing If specters of the past still haunt our present, they may yet invade our future. 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. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Pooles excoriation of one homogenous grouping belies the essence of the problem which is our human nature. Societal values impact individuals only as much as we understand an individuals values.