The Simpsons And Society: An Analysis Of Our Favorite Family And Its Influence In Contemporary Society [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Steven Keslowitz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
It was very interesting how many issues were addressed [in the book]. "It's a quick, fun read... very example-driven. -- Josh Belkin, teacher of

The Simpsons and Society takes on the big topics, with a tone that's alternately serious and slapstick. -- Larry McShane, The Associated Press

The book has some of the most impressive writing that I've ever seen. -- News Editor, The Excelsior

[Keslowitz] realized [they] were touching on important social and philosophical issues, many of which he addresses in the book... -- NY Daily News

Product Description
Hailed as "...an intelligent (and entertaining) read for Simpsons fans of all ages" by Writing! Magazine, The Simpsons and Society explores the world of Springfield as it relates to contemporary American society. The book, which is required reading for classes at several universities, including Tufts University and Carnegie Mellon University, analyzes The Simpsons television series in ways never before addressed in other Simpsons books. The Simpsons and Society provides englightening and informative discussions of the central themes of the show, and explains why The Simpsons is of tremendous importance: Why was Homer Simpson recently ranked the "greatest American of all time" in a BBC poll? Is Bart Simpson truly America's "bad boy"? In what ways does Homer represent the industrialized employee? How does The Simpsons mock celebrity culture? What is the cultural significance of Marge Simpson's hair? What would Immanuel Kant say about Homer's approach to parenting? Why is The Simpsons more than "just a cartoon"? Also included are essays pertaining to medical malpractice (Dr. Nick), media culture, American Exceptionalism, how The Simpsons matches up against other TV sitcoms, Simpsonian politics, Descartes' Evil Genius argument, Simpsonian education, and more. Each essay relates some aspect of American culture to Simpsonian life.

As the Associated Press recently noted: "The Simpsons and Society takes on the big topics with a tone that's alternately serious and slapstick... Keslowitz fixes a serious eye on America's favorite dysfunctional cartoon crew, looking for deeper meaning in the antics of Krusty the Clown, Chief Wiggum, and the rest of the twisted townfolk. He actually finds some, too."

Full of quotes, jokes, insight, analysis, and a special quiz that is intended to help you find your "inner Homer", this book is for every Simpsons fan! As Homer would say ... mmm ... bookalicious.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Hats Off Books; illustrated edition edition (October 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587362538
• ISBN-13: 978-1587362538
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #740,996 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I wouldn't pass this student, May 11, 2004

By A Customer

As a devoted Simpsons fanatic, I jump at the chance to read anything and everything related to the show. So, I found myself ordering this from Amazon not too long ago and sitting down to read it the DAY it arrived. I had high hopes: not only am I a Simpsons nut, but I'm also a professor of history and social sciences at a small community college in Michigan. I'd actually hoped that I might in some small way be able to squeeze Keslowitz's book into my classes starting this fall. After all, my students already have to watch at least one Simpsons episode per semester on one topic or another.

It didn't take too long for my hopes to be dashed, however. This book is a thinly veiled attempt to cash in on the Simpsons craze by a college student who, major fan of the show though he may be, is a poor writer whose ideas are painfully obvious and superficial. Early chapters are devoted to shallow "analyses" of the major characters, with little or no insight that would connect them to larger social issues. By the end of the book, on the other hand, the reader is treated to thin and often unsupported diatribes on issues such as American exceptionalism with almost no link offered to the Simpsons. (aside from a token quote here and there - and the quotations are often erroneous)

As a Simpsons fan, I was brutally disappointed. As a teacher, I was stunned that such an amateurish piece of writing could be published. SAVE YOUR MONEY - spend it on the Season 4 DVD when it comes out!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An amateur effort, December 25, 2003

By	"gretchen_18" (San Francisco, California) - See all my reviews

I was very excited to read this book, being a semi-obsessive Simpsons fan. I assumed/hoped that it would be similar to "The Simpsons and Philosophy," which was very well-written and thought-provoking. Unfortunatly I was incredibly disappointed with "The Simpsons and Society". The author is only a college undergraduate, and while I'm sure there are some undergrads capable of writing a quality book, Keslowitz does not appear to be one of them. The book reads like a paper for a freshman year composition class. The author overuses words like "aforementioned" and "case and point" -- sloppy writing devices when used excessively. The formatting of the text is sloppy. And, most importantly, the author contributes very little that is new or interesting to discussions of "The Simpsons". Ultimately the book feels like a poor imitation of "The Simpsons and Philosophy" -- a MUCH more quality analysis of the show.

The good parts of this book: the cover is very cute, and the author's inclusion of numerous Simpsons quotes saves it from being a total waste of time. However, it was definitely not worth its price. I also find it really disappointing that the author and/or his friends would do something as childish as stuffing the review "ballot box" with content-less, glowingly positive reviews that are clearly not written by different people.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars mixed feelings...due mostly to my love of the show, June 25, 2004

By A Customer

The only reason that I gave this book any stars at all is because I love "The Simpsons" and enjoy remembering scenes as I read about them. The concept of the book is also a worthy puruit-generally speaking. Otherwise, I think this book should never have been published. As an aspiring writer myself-as well as a writing tutor-I am VERY distracted by the constant grammatical errors throughout the book. It is VERY repetitive, badly organized (disorganized), oversimplified, and that's only to name a few issues. The potential inherent in this subject is infinite; reading this book makes me want to tackle something similar, but to do so with greater attention to detail, stronger evidence to support my theories, and the time to delve deeper into the concepts involved. To me, this book reads like a first draft of a thesis, one that needs major revision, a lot more evidence, less varying theories, more depth in those that do have the most merit, and months-maybe years-to make it better and suitable for publishing.