The St. Louis Veiled Prophet Celebration: Power on Parade, 1877-1995 (Hardcover)

~ Thomas M. Spencer (Author) "Those of us who live at the turn of the millennium find it hard to imagine that a parade could be viewed as anything more..." (more)
Key Phrases: parade makers, guerilla street theater, parade descriptions, Veiled Prophet, New Orleans, African American (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Veiled Prophet organization has been a vital institution in St Louis since it was founded in 1878. This is an exploration of the social and cultural functions of the organization's annual Veiled Prophet Parade and Ball, tracing the shifts that occurred over the years in its cultural meaning.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 204 pages
• Publisher: University of Missouri Press (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826212670
• ISBN-13: 978-0826212672
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,232,563 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful history, December 27, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

Finally someone has taken the time and trouble to set down the history of the Veiled Prophet organization and its projecs. Tom Spencer has done a splendid job. His book is eminently readable, packed with facts and details, and bright as a penny. It's also a sociological tract, scholarly but not scholastic. The one disappointment is the almost total neglect of the Veiled Prophet Ball and its Queens. I expected at least a list of the V.P. Queens and more photos of the coronations, especially the extravaganzas of the 1930s which have to be seen to be believed (think Busby Berkeley and the sets from "The Wizard of Oz") and from which abundant photos survive. What about the most famous Queen of all, Anne Desloges? And what about the whole Queen culture--all these girls year after year after year plain as a pancake with plain hair styles (if you could call them styles), basically the same gown as was being worn 50 years ago, no distinguishing talents or features (with some welcome exceptions) who after their year in the spotlight are never heard from or seen again. At least in the days the coronation and ball were telecast we had the fun of the Post-Dispatch with a straight face describing a Queen who was downright homely as "a willowy blonde." I was disappointed, too, that the book didn't tackle the subject of exactly how a Queen is chosen. It has changed over the years but it's never been that big of a secret; almost any girl in the court will willingly blab it. There needs to be a book on Veiled Prophet coronations and Queens, darn it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful history, December 27, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

Finally someone has taken the time and trouble to set down the history of the Veiled Prophet organization and its projecs. Tom Spencer has done a splendid job. His book is eminently readable, packed with facts and details, and bright as a penny. It's also a sociological tract, scholarly but not scholastic. The one disappointment is the almost total neglect of the Veiled Prophet Ball and its Queens. I expected at least a list of the V.P. Queens and more photos of the coronations, especially the extravaganzas of the 1930s which have to be seen to be believed (think Busby Berkeley and the sets from "The Wizard of Oz") and from which abundant photos survive. What about the most famous Queen of all, Anne Desloges? And what about the whole Queen culture--all these girls year after year after year plain as a pancake with plain hair styles (if you could call them styles), basically the same gown as was being worn 50 years ago, no distinguishing talents or features (with some welcome exceptions) who after their year in the spotlight are never heard from or seen again. At least in the days the coronation and ball were telecast we had the fun of the Post-Dispatch with a straight face describing a Queen who was downright homely as "a willowy blonde." I was disappointed, too, that the book didn't tackle the subject of exactly how a Queen is chosen. It has changed over the years but it's never been that big of a secret; almost any girl in the court will willingly blab it. There needs to be a book on Veiled Prophet coronations and Queens, darn it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, November 27, 2008

By	Barbara L. Wilson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

The book gives a great history. I am giving it as a xmas gift.