Rating: 
Summary: What a disappointment
Review: The book promises to be an analysis of The Simpons and its influence in contemporary society. Unfortunately, nothing could be farther from the truth. The only positive thing about this book is the entertaining Simpons quotes, which the author uses generously. But besides that, noboby gets more clever by reading it. Not even Homer, Ralph Wiggum or Lenny.
Let me give you an example on the "academic" analysis: In one episode Homer drinks Duff Beer every time he sees a Duff ad. Likes Pavlov's dogs, the ads make Homer feel thirsty. The scene is not just funny. According to the author it contains profound wisdom, that speaks directly to the american audience.
"I personally will stop and think for a moment the next time I see an ad for Coca Cola - those sly advertisers might be able to "get" Homer Simpson, but they're not going to get me. Thanks Homer," Steven Keslowitz writes.
Maybe Homer isn't the dumbest person in the world?
Rating: 
Summary: INTERESTING, INFORMATVIE SIMPSONS BOOK
Review: Simpsons fans will enjoy this book.
I should note that I generally don't give books a 5 star rating, so the 5 stars that I give this book means that I enjoyed the book.
If you're truly a Simpsons aficianado, you should read everything that is published about The Simpsons. I enjoyed the book and I'm assuming that others did as well. This book certainly has its supporters: the NY Daily News, the positive reviews posted here and on Barnes and Noble, etc..
As another reviewer mentioned he had done, I also read the article about "The Simpsons and Society" that was printed in the NY Daily News. I usually take my buying advice from the bigger publications, such as the Daily News, rather than listening to a couple of customer reviews posted here. (The reporters at the large publications put their name to the article, while many reviewers on amazon don't even use their real name.) The writer of the Daily News article said that he enjoyed the book, so I figured I'd buy a copy. I also read about this book on www.simpsonscollectors.com, as well as a couple of Simpsons message boards.
I read most of the chapters of "The Simpsons and Society". The language in the book is more accessible than "The Simpsons and Philosophy", but also maintains an insightful/intellectual tone. The book met my expectations.
I really don't understand the one or two negative reviews written by customers. I guess everyone has their own opinions. The longer positive reviews, however, actually discuss the interesting points that the author makes.
My advice: Another reviewer noted that buyers should read the excerpt posted on The Simpsons Archive (www.snpp.com) before buying the book. I'd agree... Simpsons fans will probably enjoy the excerpt and the book as well.
As for the writing in the book, the author, as I stated maintains an intellectual tone, and he accomplishes stating his points because he writes well. If you like The Simpsons, and you appreciate quality writing, I'd say this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Keslowitz, you lucky dog, you.
Review: How this author ever managed to get a publishing deal is FAR beyond me. This book is absolutely packed with misinformation, poor analysis, grammatical mistakes and ignorant, surfacy statements. If you are going to write a book on such a profound and enigmatic television show, please be one of the viewers who actually GETS it. I think any of the previous or current writers of the Simpsons would either laugh, laugh til' they cried, or just cried if they were forced to sit down and read this book.If there is one thing I learned from this book it is that The Simpsons is funny while this author is not. Perhaps the first few pages can be entertaining when you stop and think somebody out there in this world was stupid enough to waste their time coming to simple-minded conclusions about a show with ground-breaking depth. Praise God if you do laugh and manage to allow that momentum to carry you through the rest of the book. A complete catastrophe. Avoid at all costs.
Rating: 
Summary: AN INTERESTING ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF AMERICAN SATIR
Review: In "The Simpsons and Society", author Steven Keslowitz enables the reader to truly enter the world of Springfield. The character analyses, which make up the first several chapters of the book are right on key. The numerous quotes and episode references make the book a delightful and intriguing read. I read the book over the course of only a few days, as the chapters flow smoothly and are generally easy to read. In fact, I would say that that is one of the fine points of the book: the book is scholarly AND funny AND easy reading. I would assume that it was written to be used as a text in classes and for fans of the series. This is not the first academic Simpsons book that I have read, and it certainly will not be the last. The television audience is finally beginning to realize the intellectual value of The Simpsons, and authors such as Keslowitz ("The Simpsons and Society"), Irwin ("The Simpsons and Philosophy"), and Pinsky ("The Gospel According to The Simpsons") provide readers and fans of the series with acute observations and analysis.
As for "The Simpsons and Society" in particular, the chapters are at once fun to read, accessible to casual as well as die-hard fans, and informative. In 150 pages, Keslowitz addresses many issues in modern (and post-modern) society, and is successfully able to thematically relate the points he makes with references from The Simpsons. If you haven't already read this book, I highly recommend you read it soon. You'll enjoy this book as well as the other academic Simpsons books. Kudos to The Simpsons, and to the authors of these well-written academic studies of the series!
Rating:
Summary: A REAL REVIEW.... NICE BOOK, SIMPSONS FANS SHOULD ENJOY
Review: A funny, sociological study of The Simpsons.
I'm still in the process of completing "The Simpsons and Society", but I've enjoyed what I've read thus far. The chapter about Bart's behavior is especially interesting: The author outlines the reasons that Bart Simpson has not been a negative influence on the behavior of American children. Homer's chapter discusses his parenting techniques, Marge's chapter discusses her role as an under-appreciated mother... and that's as far as I've gotten in the book so far. I'm looking forward to reading the academic essays at the back of the book, and am enjoying the quotes (although a couple of quotes are not worded entirely correct: that's why I give this book 4 stars and not 5).
First of all, I'm writing this review as a response to the one or two people who posted negative reviews. Please do not accuse me (or other legitimate reviewers) of knowing the author: I do NOT know the author personally, but I appreciate quality writing when I read it. And "The Simpsons and Society" is indeed quality writing worthy of serious consideration in programs devoted to Simpsons studies.
I am disheartened by the fact that the 'negative' reviews are posted mainly by 'a reviewer from {the same area of the country]. Evidently, one or two people post multiple negative reviews. And that's unfair to the amazon.com customer community, the author, and the publisher. I cannot vouch for whether or not Keslowitz's friends posted positive reviews, but if they enjoyed the book, that's perfectly fine. The point is that, from an objective standpoint, I enjoyed reading "The Simpsons and Society". The book will remain a keepsake on my bookshelf.
By and large, the positive reviews are posted from various parts of the United States: Florida, Westchester, Queens, etc... And it's difficult to believe that Keslowitz has friends in all parts of the country. Don't waste time reading the negative reviews. MY ADVICE: READ THE PUBLISHER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK - IF YOU'RE A FAN OF THE SIMPSONS, AND ARE INTRIGUED BY THE DESCRIPTION, CHECK IT OUT. I'm glad that I did.
Rating:
Summary: I wouldn't pass this student
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ FOR SIMPSONS FANS
Review: "The Simpsons and Society" provides readers with insight into many aspects of American life. For example, one of the academic essays in the second section of the book discusses the impact of the political television commercial on the psyche of the American voter. Keslowitz explains how The Simpsons has satirized this fundamental change in the global political economy. And that's just one of the issues that the author brings forth. The other issues, as well as the character analyses that make up the first section of the book make the book an enjoyable and enlightening read. It's refreshing to read a book by an author who truly immerses himself in the topic at hand.
The author's writing style serve to enhance the interesting points that Keslowitz makes throughout the book. This is a book that should be read by all Simpsons fans, and anyone else interested in learning how "America's Favorite Family" impacts contemporary life. Read the book.. and enjoy!
"Trying is the first step towards failure." - Homer Simpson
Rating:
Summary: It takes two to lie, and unfortunately I listened
Review: Make sure you read all the reviews about this: horrible writing and insight that 8th graders laugh at is a winning combination. The guy at Tufts 'teaching' the book? Not a real class -- the instructor is also an undergrad, like the author. The only reason I own this book is because I was suckered into buying it by the earlier "reviews". Simpsons fans, please learn from my error. Stay away! This book and his attendant efforts to sell it are hopefully the worst thing the author will ever do. "Fraud" is a big word -- Mr. Keslowitz would be wise to have someone explain it to him before he sees it in a complaint. Or an arrest warrant.
Rating:
Summary: SECOND EDITION ROCKS
Review: I recently purchased the 2nd edition of "The Simpsons and Society" after reading about the book in an AP article. The 2nd edition is the one with the AP review quote on the front cover. After reading what the AP had to say about the book (all great stuff) and learning that the book is being used in several college courses, I NEEDED to check this book out. It was good that I did. Most quotes in the book are correctly worded; perhaps Keslowitz corrected some of the misworded ones that had been in the 1st edition. Also, "The Simpsons and Society" is a fun book. It's easier to read than "The Simpsons and Philosophy", but contains lots of good stuff. Keslowitz got some good ideas into this book - like explaining the importance of Lisa Simpson in Springfield, a town which consists of individuals with below average intelligence. There's always more to The Simpsons than can be addressed in a single book, but this book is a great start if you want to study The Simpsons on an academic -- yet fun -- level. And that's really what The Simpsons is intended to be -- fun, entertaining, and academic. This book is all of that. Glad to hear that The Simpsons is going to be on for years to come! Fun, Fun, Fun...
Rating:
Summary: I would like a refund
Review: Steve (since you are obviously reading and posting here): I bought your utterly worthless pos after reading the "reviews", which I've since come to realize were written by you or your friends. Bravo. I love a good scam, and you have one, no doubt. You saw that Simpsons fans are rabid for anything related to OFF and will buy anything, and you took advantage. Again, bravo sir. I salute you.
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