Kate Stevens

This is more of a reference book than a page-turner, with short overviews of a variety of subcultures.

From the folks you see at DragonCon (Trekkies, Furries, and Cosplayers) to Macrobioticists and Steampunkers, the book covers a gamut of art, fashion, food, sex, music, collectors, lifestyles, politics, and technology. All the little pockets of pervasive behaviors that can be grouped together, from Tea Partiers and MENSA members to Goths and Civil War Re-enactors.

Whether it's a Tavern Trivia group or being a NASCAR fan, we like knowing that there are others out there like us who share a collective passion for our 'thing'. Sometimes it's extreme (the S&M and B&D crowd), sometimes it's mundane (comic book collectors). Some are maladies (hoarders), some are stringent belief systems (Libertarians).

But, despite the oft-heard rantings from Americans that we don't want to be labeled - think of all the people who eschew the term "Christian" and now call themselves a "Follower of Christ" or those who chose not to devote themselves to the GOP or Democratic parties and eventually earned the title "Independent" - this book reminds us that we actually crave categorization. There's solace in numbers, and in knowing that - if we are a little nuts - at least we're packed in a full jar, surrounded by similarly lightly salted folks.

Local Thespians, vegans, homeschoolers, marathoners, yoginis, ghost hunters, hipsters, Junior Leaguers, Early Adopters, Ren Faire lifestylers - subcultures you didn't even think of as subcultures - are included. It's a fun, and often freaky, ride.

If i had a complaint, it's that it leaves you wishing there were more, but then, this is meant to be an appetite whetter. If I want to learn more about Civil War re-enactors, I'll go see one. If I want to learn more about Mensa, I'll finally concede to going to one of the meetings they keep inviting me to. God, they''re nags. ;-)

For real, it's a light, intriguing read. No revelations, but plenty of little tidbits to give you a cursory overview of the patchwork of odd lifestyles that make up our nation.… (mais)

Equal parts fascinating and frustrating, this volume is a guide to over 100 odd or extreme American subcultures. The fascinating parts are some of the factoids that Stevens provides about odd groups, both big and small. Curious to see the basics about such well-known subcultures as Trekkies, Model Railroaders, Survivalists, Deadheads, Conspiracy Theorists, Tea Partiers and Hackers? Look no further -- each entry features information on each group about: "also known as", origins of the culture, "how to recognize", where the culture exists, who the "heroes" or figureheads of the culture are, most distinctive traits, "biggest controversy", "biggest misconception about", buzzwords of the culture, and what the signs are to identify minor fans, major fans and super fans of that culture. The "frustrating" part of this book, for me, is its organization -- it is NOT in alphabetical order, with entries instead being grouped by categories (Collectibles, Fashion, Art, etc.). The book does not feature an index at the back to cross-reference by "group name" or interests. While much of the content is presented non-judgmentally, the author does inject some rather snarky comments hear and there about some of the specific groups. There were also some fairly obviously subcultural groups which were not included, for no obvious reason. Despite my complaints, however, I enjoyed reading this book, picking profiled groups at random, and for readers looking for a relatively light and amusing way to learn about odd subcultures, this is a fun and quick read.

Originally written for my local library's website: http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/srec/staffrec11-11.htm… (mais)