A penetrating analysis of the American mentality as seen through private eye fiction. Ruehlmann traces the American Detective personality back to its roots, the lawman of the Old West rather than the civilized British inspector, and explains our man's psyche in terms of the nation's makeup, peculiar or perverse as it may be. Included among writers discussed are Mickey Spillane, Ross MacDonald, Donald Westlake, Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler - all names who have been entertaining America for years. --- from book's back cover
