Mythology—circulated in sacred stories (myths) and their reenactments (rituals)—is the basis of any society’s religion, and religion is an essential key to identity. In effect, mythology creates and s
Mid-flight noncombat mishaps and blunders occur frequently in the USAF during training and utility flights—sometimes with the loss of life and regularly with the destruction of expensive aircraft. In
Horror and exploitation films have played a pioneering role in both American and world cinema, with a number of controversial and surreal movies produced by renegade filmmakers. This collection of int
Sanger, a film, theatre, and television producer and director, media advisor, and entertainment financial consultant who produced The Elephant Man, relates the story of how the 1980 film was made a
Kinsman, an editor, writer, and researcher on crime fiction, provides a resource on the novels, short stories, and nonfiction of Sara Paretsky, along with biographical information on her life and c
Miller, a writer, former employee of NASA, and retired magazine editor, describes 98 films, television movies and miniseries, and direct-to-video productions about Mars, from the silent era to the
They are invincible warriors of steel, silky-skinned enticers, stealers of jobs and lovable goofball sidekicks. Legions of robots and androids star in the dream factories of Hollywood and leer on pulp
The entertainment world lost many notable talents in 2016, among them pop icons David Bowie and Prince, country music legend Merle Haggard, actors Gene Wilder and George Kennedy and Alan Rickman, nove
Often neglected by historians, actions in Missouri and Kansas had an important influence on the course of the Civil War, with profound and lasting effects for the communities and people in the region.
Set in the American Southwest, “desert terror” films combine elements from horror, film noir and road movies to tell stories of isolation and violence. For more than half a century, these diverse and
More than 20 years after it was first broadcast, The X-Files still holds the public imagination. Over nine seasons and two feature films, agents Mulder and Scully pursued monsters, aliens, mutants and
Tom Gamboa played baseball professionally, coached, scouted, managed in the minors and in Puerto Rico and coached in the big leagues with the Cubs and Royals. As a national crosschecker, he scoured th
Testosterone and estrogen treatments are common today, but in the late 19th and early 20th centuries the discovery of sex gland secretions led both physicians and the public to believe they had found
Mickey Rooney was one of Hollywood’s most prolific and long-lived stars, with film credits spanning the silent and CGI eras. Despite his Broadway acclaim and gift for character acting, he is remembere
How did Hawaiian and Polynesian culture come to dramatically alter American music, fashion and decor, as well as ideas about race, in less than a century? It began with mainland hula and musical perfo
Like the age-old feud between the Montagues and Capulets in Romeo and Juliet, the enduring rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers makes for great drama. Macbeth’s career began with promi
By mid-career, many successful writers find a groove and their readers come to expect a familiar consistency and fidelity. Not so with Henry Green (1905–1973). He prefers uncertainty over reason and f
Zombies, werewolves and chainsaw-wielding maniacs are tried-and-true staples of horror films. But none can match the visceral dread evoked by a child with an innocent face and a diabolical stare. Cine
This volume traces the pre-Revolutionary War music of Williamsburg, Virginia, and its importance to its citizens and those of surrounding areas. It describes the role of music in the upper and lower c
The 1970s were both successful and tragic for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They won five NL Eastern Division crowns and the 1971 World Championship, but lost the great Roberto Clemente in a plane crash and
Both before and during World War II, the Nazis restricted the rights of Jewish and communist doctors. Some fought back, first by fighting against Fascism in the Spanish Civil War and then by helping t
The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the birth of modern feminism, the sexual revolution, and strong growth in the mass-market publishing industry. Women made up a large part of the book market, and Got
As a 20-year-old gunboat captain and certified U.S. Navy diver in the Mekong Delta, the author was responsible for both the vessel and the lives of its crew. Ambushes and firefights became the norm, a
Raised in poverty on an Iowa farm, the Cherry Sisters had little education and no training. But they possessed a burning desire to take to the stage and show the world what they could do—and what they
Phillips presents readers with a collection of ethnographic research, observations, and interviews relating stories of the marginalization, addiction, and abuse suffered by the homeless in contemp
Songwriters, performers and producers Erik Appelwick, Eric Fawcett, John Hermanson and Darren Jackson were important players in an early 2000s musical collective. This collective included genres such
Explanation, demonstration, correction and repetition are essential to the activity of teaching. Successful coaches must be able to effectively and consistently incorporate each of these teaching meth
Scherr explores Jefferson's ideas about democracy and the new republic, especially the frequent disputes between New England--especially Massachusetts--and the rest of the country. His topics include
"This book examines Tarzan in his various media representations--hunter, warrior, secret agent, fighter of communists and Nazis--and in his numerous story arcs, including crossover adventures featurin
This comprehensive guide to tween library services begins with a developmental description of this ever-changing group and offers practical advice about materials and programming. Criteria are provide
This anthology compiles 20 essays on apocalyptic themes in recent film, television, video games, webisodes, and smartphone apps. English, media, communication, and other scholars from the US, Euro
Captain Ernie Blanchard left for work January 10, 1995, a successful officer. Respected by superiors and subordinates alike, his personal and professional values seemed perfectly aligned with the inst
A mainstay of modern life, the global media gives out information about disabilities that is often inaccurate or negative and perpetuates oppressive stigmas and discrimination. In response to repres
Beginning with the structural features of design and play, this book explores video games as both compelling examples of storytelling and as important cultural artifacts. The author analyzes fundament
During the African American cultural resurgence of the 1920s and 1930s, professional athletes shared the spotlight with artists and intellectuals. Negro League baseball teams played in New York City’s
This biography traces the life and career of Ford Frick (1894-1978), major league baseball's third commissioner. He was a journalist, National League president, and became baseball commissioner in
"The 1990s produced some of the greatest artists and hits in dance music history. In this retrospective, 29 singers, songwriters, producers, DJs and industry professionals discuss their careers. Comme
"Focusing on the utopian visions and dystopian realities of American campus life, this collection of new essays examine the university architecture from the perspective of faculty and students. Topics
Nearly 130 years after the introduction of Sherlock Holmes to readers, the Great Detective's identity is being questioned, deconstructed, and reconstructed more than ever. Readers and audiences, not t
Stern describes fellow banjo-player Diller's life and work in playing music, teaching music, and ministry. He departs from conventional biography in severely editing the material--for example mentioni
