Social Computing

Author Biography:

Mobilized Marketing and the Consumer

In the last twenty years, the Internet and information technologies in general have evolved creating numerous changes and developments in regard to the circulation of information around the world. Mobilized Marketing and the Consumer: Technological Developments and Challenges explores technological developments and widespread issues concerning the explosion of mobile devices in the information age.

Inside the "Dark Tower" Series

Stephen King is no stranger to the realm of literary criticism, but his most fantastic, far-reaching work has aroused little academic scrutiny. This study of King's epic "Dark Tower" series encompasses the career of one of the world's best-selling authors and frames him as more than a 'horror writer'. Four categories of analysis - genre, art, evil, and intertextuality - provide a focused look at the center of King's fictional universe.

The Pleasure and Pain of Cult Horror Films

The horror genre is known for its persistent popularity, but it also harbors a number of films too bold or bizarre to succeed with mainstream audiences. Despite their lack of box office success, these same movies garner groups of devotees and remain perennially popular among those who recognize and appreciate their unique, startling and often groundbreaking qualities. Beginning with Victor Sjostrom's "The Phantom Carriage" in 1921, this book tracks the evolution and influence of underground cult horror over the ensuing decades, closing with William Winckler's "Frankenstein vs.

Creating the John Brown Legend

One of the triggering events of the Civil War helped divide a nation but also launched a cannonade of persuasive essays and propaganda. Early press reaction to John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry ranged from indignant horror in the South to stunned disbelief in the North.

It Might Do Well with Strawberries

A collection of lyrical verse, consoling prose, and personal meditations on American culture.

Reviews:

Ed Wood, Mad Genius

Filmmaker Ed Wood was controversial and critically maligned, even labeled 'the worst director of all time', yet he achieved cult status and remains of great interest today. This book frames Wood's work, such as the cross-dressing themed "Glen or Glenda?" and the haphazard "Bride of the Monster", as reflections of the culture of their era. Wood invariably worked with infinitesimal budgets, shooting at breakneck speed, incorporating plot twists that defied all logic.

Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff

"Dracula" and "Frankenstein's Monster" are horror cinema icons, and the actors most deeply associated with the two roles also shared a creative friendship. Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff starred in dozens of black-and-white horror films, and over the years managed to collaborate on and co-star in eight movies. Through dozens of interviews and archival research, this book examines the Golden Age of Hollywood, the era in which both stars worked, recreates the shooting of Lugosi and Karloff's mutual films, examines their odd and moving personal relationship and analyzes their ongoing legacies.

Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing and Horror Cinema

From their first pairing in "Hamlet" (1948) to their roles in "House of the Long Shadows" (1983), Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing have enjoyed the most successful collaboration in horror film history. Each of their 22 film collaborations is examined in detail, including plot synopses and critical commentary. A comprehensive filmography of their films together provides release date, running time, studio, production information and full cast and credits.

Features from the Black Lagoon

Universal Studio's popularized five of the most recognized movie monsters of all time are: "Frankenstein", "Dracula", the "Wolfman", the "Mummy", and the "Creature from the Black Lagoon". But only the first four were produced during the studio's golden age, portrayed by legendary horror actors, and revived many times over the ensuing decades. Why, then, does the Creature endure as a classic horror character? This book is the ultimate guide to the Creature (aka the Gill Man), covering his inception, his movies, and his legacy among the all-time great movie monsters.

Horror Stars on Radio

Many stars of classic horror movies crossed over to radio during and after their careers. This book chronicles the radio appearances of several horror genre stars, including Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Peter Lorre, Vincent Price, and two dozen more, including 'Scream Queens' like Fay Wray. It contains script excerpts from radio shows as well as narrated albums and music singles. Each star's appearances are listed by show and air date, with descriptions of the subject matter.

Author Biography:

Savage Detours

This is the first book-length study of the career and life of Ann Savage, whose performance in Detour earned her a place in "Time Magazine"'s list of the top 10 greatest movie villains.

House and Garden

What happened to Adam and Eve after they were expelled from the garden of Eden? In this collection of poetry, John Engels has it that they move to a town resembling Burlington, Vermont, and set up a home, complete with deck and garden. In their new location, they continue to name creation.

Other books of the Author John Engels

Homeland Mythology

Since 9/11, America has presented itself to the world as a Christianist culture, no less antimodern and nostalgic for an idealized past than its Islamist foes. Their shared master-narrative might sound like this: Once upon a time, the values of the righteous community coincided with those of the state. Home and land were harmoniously united under God. But through intellectual pride (read: science) and disobedience (read: human rights), this God-blessed homeland was lost and now worth every drop of blood it takes, ours and others', to recover.

Green Building and Renovating

With her trademark style and authority, "Greeniology" author Tanya Ha provides pocket-sized guides based on her popular bestseller.Here are individual books on how to go green in the office and garden; how you can be clean and green without using commercial cleaners and harsh chemicals; and how to renovate and build smartly.Tanya's suggestions are always based on commonsense, and are practical and achievable.Being green the Greeniology way won't cost you the earth. You will live well, and still make a difference.

Author Biography:

Green Travel and Transport

With her trademark style and authority, "Greeniology" author Tanya Ha provides pocket-sized guides based on her popular bestseller. Here are individual books on how to go green in the office and garden; how you can be clean and green without using commercial cleaners and harsh chemicals; and how to renovate and build smartly.Tanya's suggestions are always based on commonsense, and are practical and achievable. Being green the "Greeniology" way won't cost you the earth. You will live well, and still make a difference.

Author Biography:

Reading the Garden

Gardens have a particular significance for white Australia: they have helped make meaning and 'home' in a new place; enabled connections with the Australian environment or rejection of it and facilitated the development of friendships and social connections. Using individual gardens, both public and private, Reading the Garden illuminates the meaning and uses of gardens and gardening in Australia from white settlement to the late twentieth century.