Homer Epic Creates a Stir
Brooklyn, NY – The relevance of Homer may be lost on many college students, but when it's Homer Simpson we’re talking about, they’re all-knowing. Just ask 19-year-old Brooklyn College student and University Scholar, Steven Keslowitz, author of the critically acclaimed and emerging best-seller, The Simpsons and Society: An Analysis of Our Favorite Family and Its Influence in Contemporary Society. “The Simpsons is more than just a cartoon,” says Keslowitz. “It merits serious attention from fans and scholars alike because of its intellectual core. With over 20 million Simpsons fans in the United States alone, The Simpsons television series has become an American phenomenon.”
The Simpsons and Society has received rave reviews from the Associated Press, The NY Daily News, Courier Life Publications, and other large media outlets. 2 million viewers watched as Keslowitz was recently declared a “Simpsons Expert” by FOX 5 News NY. He also promoted the book on NBC’s Early Today Show in New York. Reviews of the book have been so good that The Simpsons and Society is now required reading at Tufts University and Carnegie Mellon University. Keslowitz also gave a lecture entitled The Simpsons and Society at the prestigious Wolfe Institute at Brooklyn College.
Fans of The Simpsons have flocked to bookstores requesting The Simpsons and Society. Keslowitz recently held two highly successful book signings at Barnes and Noble bookstores in Brooklyn, NY.
Sales of the book continue to skyrocket as word of this fresh look at America’s favorite dysfunctional family crosses the continent. Sales of the book are in the thousands, as a result of the publicity that the book has received – and continues to receive -- across the United States. Current rankings on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in the United States and Canada are high and headed for the bestseller lists. Internet chat about the book has also increased thanks to devoted fans who love a good read. The “book finds deeper meanings in The Simpsons,” states Bartfan.com.
Traditional media agree. “The Simpsons and Society takes on the big topics, with a tone that’s alternately serious and slapstick,” writes the Associated Press. Featured in hundreds of major newspapers including the New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington Post, Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald, Baltimore Sun, Newsday, as well as in television and radio interviews, The Simpsons and Society has become a must-have for Simpsons fans, and Americans interested in popular culture. (The book has also been featured on CNN.com, AOL.com, MSNBC.com, and Yahoo! News. Upcoming feature articles will appear in Writing! Magazine, CUNY Matters, and Cheat Sheet, a national college publication).
The Simpsons and Society: An Analysis of Our Favorite Family and Its Influence in Contemporary Society by Steven Keslowitz (ISBN 1-58736-253-8) is a compilation of essays, focusing on topics such as American Industrialization, parenting, celebrity culture, and the importance of Marge Simpson’s hair.
Book Description:
In The Simpsons and Society, Steven Keslowitz explores the world of The Simpsons as it relates to contemporary society. Inside, readers will find discussions of whether Homer is a good father, whether Bart is truly America's "bad boy", whether Maggie should remain quiet, and whether Lisa is truly a "Simpson." Additionally, Keslowitz addresses the age old question of whether money invariably creates happiness, as he analyzes the actions and mindset of the rich capitalist, C. Montgomery Burns. And, just for fun, Keslowitz also analyzes the importance of Marge’s hair.
Keslowitz has also included essays pertaining to medical malpractice (Dr. Nick), media culture, American Exceptionalism, how The Simpsons matches up against other TV sitcoms (specifically focusing on how Homer’s parenting techniques compare with those utilized by Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show), Simpsonian news and views, Descartes' Evil Genius argument, American Industrialization, and more. Each essay relates some aspect of American culture to Simpsonian life. Full of quotes, jokes, and insight, this book is for every Simpsons fan! As Homer would say, "Woo-hoo!"
Previous book signings and lectures:
Barnes and Noble bookstore - Court Street, Brooklyn, NY - March 18th, 2004
Barnes and Noble Brooklyn College bookstore - November 19th, 2003
Lecture:
Wolfe Institute at Brooklyn College - May 4, 2004
TV Appearances:
NBC Early Today Show
FOX News 6 PM and 10 PM (April 9th, 2004)
Upcoming TV Appearance:
CUNY TV
Radio interviews:
The John Carney Show (St. Louis)
WOAI San Antonio
The Stirling Faux on CKNW Newstalk 980 (Corus radio network) (heard across Canada)
The Nightside With Mark Elliot (CFRB 1010, a newstalk radio station in Toronto, Canada)
Spin 103.8 (a radio station in Dublin, Ireland).
Upcoming radio interviews:
BCR (Brooklyn College radio).
Received an interview request from Beat 102-103 (a radio station in Dublin, Ireland).
Will record an interview for WNYE 91.5
"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 townsfolk. He actually finds some, too."
--Larry McShane, Associated Press
"The Simpsons and Society examines the political, social, and philosophical aspects of The Simpsons and how the series covers all aspects of human existence. The book also takes into account recent events and how this amazingly insightful satirical cartoon responds to them in some of the most creative and unusual ways... The book has some of the most impressive writing that I've ever seen."
--News Editor, The Excelsior
“The Simpsons and Society is a collection of entertaining scholarly essays; it’s an accomplished work with many insights to share.” ~ Dr. Duncan Dobbelmann, CUNY Honors College
"It was very interesting how many issues were addressed in [The Simpsons and Society]. This book was easier to relate to [than The Simpsons and Philosophy, and The Gospel According to The Simpsons], and very example-driven. It’s a quick, fun read.” --Josh Belkin, Tufts University
"Keslowitz combines essays comparing various theories of work to Homer's work ethic...and how The Simpsons plays into Descartes' Evil Genius argument with commentary about the various characters."
--Christy Goodman, Courier Life Publications
“A very interesting book. It’s always fascinating to read about the show in a more serious manner.” ~ Amazon.com Customer ‘Listmania’ compilation, entitled “The Essentials for Simpsons Fans”
Upcoming Events
Book Signing at Jim Hanley's Universe - August 6th, 2004
Collingswood, NJ Book signing and lecture - October 9, 2004
For interview requests or to purchase an autographed copy of "The Simpsons and Society", please email Steven Keslowitz at the address below. "mmm...bookalicious"
