Customer Reviews

"There She Is, Miss America": The Politics of Sex, Beauty, and Race in America's Most Famous Pageant

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Elwood Watson and Darcy Martin have compiled an interesting and insightful volume on the history and meaning of the Miss America Pagaent. Starting out with their compelling introductory essay, Watson and Martin offer fascinating detail and thoughtful analysis of this classic cultural event. The chapters in this study approach the topic from a wide range of perspectives, from the early days of the extravaganza to the crowning and decrowning of Vanessa Williams in the 1980s to the contoversies of the 21st century. The volume also includes a reprint of an excellent essay from well-known writer Gerald Early. Overall the book is a rewarding read which reminds us that any subject, when researched thoroughly and analyzed skillfully, can be "real" history.

This anthology is an excellent narrative of the sexual, cultural,, racial, regional and political aspects of the Miss America Pageant. While primarily designed for an academic audience, the collection of essays are also accesible to well educated individuals who are not academics.

While a couple of essays are shorter than desireable given their focus, the book is a valuable conribution to the fields of gender and cultural studies.

this is the most disappointing book i've even read on the pageant. Poorly written, with way too much analysis of each topic that becomes as remote from the main topic, (the pageant) as it can get. Other books get into the contestants & the comptitions that keep them interesting and readable. This book is completly unfocused & frankly, boring.