Rating: 
Summary: The Simpsons and Society Rocks!
Review: Simpsons fans listen up: check out "The Simpsons and Society"..
Satire is great. And "The Simpsons and Society" by Steven Keslowitz demonstrates why this is so.
Any Simpsons fan should enjoy this book. I'm going to take the time to outline the reasons why "The Simpsons and Society" is an excellent supplementary resource tool for other scholarly works, such as "The Simpsons and Philosophy".
I read an excerpt from "The Simpsons and Society" on The Simpsons Archive (www.snpp.com) The chapter posted there is entitled "C. Montgomery Burns and the Pursuit of True Happiness." I've always been fascinated by the portrayal of Burns as a rich capitalist. The author of "The Simpsons and Society" analyzed the character of Burns, and made me feel as though I was actually immersed in each episode discussed. As I read on, I realized that my fascination of the character of Burns goes beyond his portrayal as Homer's rich boss. The author enlightened me because I now realize that Burns is truly a REFLECTION of the American capitlist: his character triumphs as well as his flaws. And, as the author notes, Burns is indeed similar to us: at times he is frail, and it is then that we can more closely relate to him.
After reading the excerpt, I purchased the book and hoped that it would contain as much insight into contemporary American society as the excerpt did. Indeed, the book met my highest expectations. My advice: read the excerpt... but don't stop there - there's a LOT more insight contained within the book. (The academic essays at the back read like scholarly works, each devoted to a particular topic. These were my favorite parts :)
It is Simpsons books such as this one and "The Simpsons and Philosophy" that make being a Simpsons fan fun - and enlightening. It's great to read about all of the ways in which The Simpsons enters our lives, influences thought processes, and reflects the "average" family in contemporary America.
I heartily enjoyed reading this book for several reasons: Firstly, the author delves deeper into The Simpsons than I had previously imagined possible.
Secondly, the author's writing style is entertaining and makes the book a fun read.
Thirdly, the academic insight is explored in many areas: For example, Neil Postman's views on the Age of Television are discussed in the context of Homer's infatuation with television. Another example: The author notes how a particular Simpsons episode portrays Descartes' Three-Fold Method of Doubt.
As a college student, I have found keen academic value in The Simpsons over the years. What the author does in this impressive work is compile many of the academic elements that The Simpsons has to offer the viewing public. Great read! Also recommend: "The Simpsons and Philosophy" by William Irwin
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME SIMPSONS BOOK
Review: What a delightful book! The author's nice use of Simpsons quotes make the book funny. At the same time, however, Keslowitz successfully maintains an academic tone. If you're interested in academics, start with the section section of this book. In the second section, Keslowitz compiles 5 unique essays relating to politics, philosophy, industrialization, etc...
I'm interested in exploring the academic insights that lie within The Simpsons. I'm glad that I got a chance to read this book! A great book and a great buy. 5 stars
Rating: 
Summary: The Simpsons and Society
Review: Terrible. Mediocre writing, mediocre analysis, and a resulting title that is very misleading. Reads like a cut & paste collection from books like 'The Simpsons and Philosophy' (a very worthwhile book) and 'The Simpsons Complete Guides.' The font is enormous in size yet the author only manages 140 pages and two pages of non-specific bibliography and absolutely no notes. There is an enormous amount of 'filler' content, such as various list and quotes that are irrelevant to the argument. Speaking of the argument, the book has no clear thesis or coherent organization and is, therefore, completely useless in an academic setting. This is a 'must skip' book. Wait on your local library to get it and pick it up for a glance. Don't waste your money even if you are a huge Simpsons fan. The content is in no way unique, you will find it in other books and essays that are more worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE SIMPSONS
Review: Here's what you need to truly enjoy The Simpsons: a television, some heavily salted snack treats, a VCR to record the show, The Simpsons Episode Guide Books (all 3), AND this book = "The Simpsons and Society" by Steven Keslowitz :)
As a writer and as a fan of The Simpsons, I am writing this review to commend both The Simpsons television series on FOX AND the great work that author Steven Keslowitz must have put into "The Simpsons and Society". I share the author's wish that The Simpsons should continue for many years to come.
I'd like to acknowledge The Simpsons Archive (www.snpp.com) for posting information about "The Simpsons and Society". The book was a pleasure to read! Here's why:
Here come The Simpsons! In this book, the author explains the various ways in which the main characters relate to aspects of our daily lives. For example, Keslowitz discusses the ways in which Bart has -- and has not -- influenced the behavior of American children. Bart's tremendous status as a modern icon of Americana is well-known, but is treated here with great interest and academic insight. The chapters were meticulously put together - that's a credit to the publisher as well as the author.
***Perhaps the most important part of reading this book is that its contents serve to enhance the viewing and re-viewing of classic Simpsons episodes. As fans of the series know, it is important to watch each episode at least several times in order to grasp the satire and all of the scholarly/academic references that the writers make on a consistent basis. Keslowitz outlines many of these references, and when I went back and watched several episodes discussed within the text, I appreciated the book even more. Unlike "The Simpsons and Philosophy", "The Simpsons and Society" provides fans with a book that can be read in a relatively short period of time, but still provides the academic insight and quality writing found in the other academic Simpsons books. If you enjoyed "The Simpsons and Philosophy", and you're a fan of The Simpsons, you'll love "The Simpsons and Society". It's cheaper than some of the other Simpsons books out there, and it's a great read. It's truly refreshing to read a book by an author who is such a die-hard fan of the greatest television series ever produced. "The Simpsons and Society" satisfied my desire to read more about elements contained within The Simpsons. In short: Interesting social commentary + The Simpsons = "The Simpsons and Society"
I've been watching The Simpsons for years, and I think it's great that solid social commentary is being published about the series. If you call yourself a fan of The Simpsons, read this book...
A+++
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: Worst Simpsons book ever
Review: The book starts off as a poor effort to explain how various Simpsons characters fit in as, or have affected typical members of American society. With incorrect plot and quote references aplenty, the book quickly disintegrates into a hodge podge of poorly written chapters that wouldn't have made the grade in a freshman high school english class. Farther into the book the author loses sight of what the book is supposed to be about and switches to explaining other authors views of American politics, work attitudes and home life with miserably thin attempts to relate the views to the Simpsons. With minimal time the mistakes were easily researchable and correctable. I don't think much could have been done with the writing style. I had a very hard time stomaching and finishing this book. So far this is the worst book on the subject of the Simpsons. It does not even earn one star but that is the lowest rating available. Don't waste time or money on this book. I'm sorry I did!
Rating:
Summary: WELL WORTH THE READ IF YOU'RE A SIMPSONS FAN
Review: Simpsons fans will enjoy this book.
I should note that I generally don't give books a 5 star rating, so the 4 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: An amateur effort
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: WELL-WRITTEN, FUNNY, AND INTELLECTUAL.: AN ENJOYABLE READ
Review: Satire is great. And "The Simpsons and Society" by Steven Keslowitz demonstrates why this is so.
Any Simpsons fan should enjoy this book. I'm going to take the time to outline the reasons why "The Simpsons and Society" is an excellent supplementary resource tool for other scholarly works, such as "The Simpsons and Philosophy".
I read an excerpt from "The Simpsons and Society" on The Simpsons Archive (www.snpp.com) The chapter posted there is entitled "C. Montgomery Burns and the Pursuit of True Happiness." I've always been fascinated by the portrayal of Burns as a rich capitalist. The author of "The Simpsons and Society" analyzed the character of Burns, and made me feel as though I was actually immersed in each episode discussed. As I read on, I realized that my fascination of the character of Burns goes beyond his portrayal as Homer's rich boss. The author enlightened me because I now realize that Burns is truly a REFLECTION of the American capitlist: his character triumphs as well as his flaws. And, as the author notes, Burns is indeed similar to us: at times he is frail, and it is then that we can more closely relate to him.
After reading the excerpt, I purchased the book and hoped that it would contain as much insight into contemporary American society as the excerpt did. Indeed, the book met my highest expectations. My advice: read the excerpt... but don't stop there - there's a LOT more insight contained within the book. (The academic essays at the back read like scholarly works, each devoted to a particular topic. These were my favorite parts :)
It is Simpsons books such as this one and "The Simpsons and Philosophy" that make being a Simpsons fan fun - and enlightening. It's great to read about all of the ways in which The Simpsons enters our lives, influences thought processes, and reflects the "average" family in contemporary America.
I heartily enjoyed reading this book for several reasons: Firstly, the author delves deeper into The Simpsons than I had previously imagined possible.
Secondly, the author's writing style is entertaining and makes the book a fun read.
Thirdly, the academic insight is explored in many areas: For example, Neil Postman's views on the Age of Television are discussed in the context of Homer's infatuation with television. Another example: The author notes how a particular Simpsons episode portrays Descartes' Three-Fold Method of Doubt.
As a college student, I have found keen academic value in The Simpsons over the years. What the author does in this impressive work is compile many of the academic elements that The Simpsons has to offer the viewing public. Great read! Also recommend: "The Simpsons and Philosophy" by William Irwin
Rating:
Summary: AN ASTUTE INTELLECTUAL STUDY OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE FAMILY
Review: I picked up this book after reading an article about it in The NY Daily News sometime in early December. The writer noted that he enjoyed the book, so I felt is was worth a shot... it was definitely worth the reading....
I've read the other Simpsons books (The Simpsons and Philsophy, The Gospel According to the Simpsons). If you enjoyed those books at all, you'll certainly enjoy this one.
Keslowitz adds a new analysis on The Simpsons: one from a sociological/political perspective that the other books did not focus upon. The use of quotes within the text serve to buttress many of the author's fine points. The organization of the book is also appealing: the first section consists of character analyses, while the second section contains academic essays. I enjoyed reading the academic essays because they fit my interests perfectly: politics and philosophy. Keslowitz finds the connection between the series and its relevance to contemporary society.
For example, when discussing The Simpsons in relation to The Cosby show, Keslowitz notes that "The Cosby show provides the American public with what they desire; The Simpsons provides the American public with what is." It's refreshing to read that The Simpsons is a realistic- although satirized - television series. Additionally, I enjoyed reading about The Simpsons within the context of other television programs, such as Roseanne, Family Guy, and I Love Lucy.
The chapter on Bart is another intriguing chapter. This chapter discusses the series' transition from Bart's fame to Homer's stardom. Here, Keslowitz discusses why the show has existed for so many years, and why it will continue to exist in the future. An interesting discussion of the transition from "Bart Mania", to what I call "Homer Mania" develops in this chapter.
One additional note: My friends and I use this book as a reference source in our Simpsons-based discussions. "The Simpsons and Society" is very enjoyable to read. Highly Recommend..
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