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35th out of 111 books
—
21 voters
The Man from Krypton: A Closer Look at Superman (Smart Pop)
** COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED ** Leading writers discuss, debate, and celebrate the legend of Superman in this anthology, contending that his legend is a truly American myth. Superman was an immigrant with little more than the clothes on his back and raised by simple farmers, absorbing their humble values. He always chose to do the right thing, fighting for truth, justice, an...more
Paperback, 229 pages
Published
April 10th 2006
by Smart Pop
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Do you need just one reason to read or purchase this collection of essays on the subject of Superman? Okay, how about this: "Man Of Steel, Woman Of Kleenex." Larry Niven's highly amusing essay speculating on Superman's sex life is reprinted in this volume.
My major complaint was the order of the essays. Niven's essay should have either been the first essay (after the editor's introduction, of course), or the very last essay in the book (saving the best for last). Instead, editor Glenn Yeffeth cho...more
My major complaint was the order of the essays. Niven's essay should have either been the first essay (after the editor's introduction, of course), or the very last essay in the book (saving the best for last). Instead, editor Glenn Yeffeth cho...more
Most of these essays are really half-assed pseudo babble. Too many misinterpretations and comparisons of Nietzsche's Ubermensch (although no one mentions Kant's categorical imperative at all, which I find interesting due to the fact that Superman relies entirely on it in his interpretation of absolute morality) throughout the whole book. The saving grace is the essay "God, Communism and the Web" by Gustav Peebles. That essay in and of itself is worth trudging through this book.
Looking at Superman as a mythological figure and what he means is a subject I love exploring and especially appreciate when it's one that is taken seriously. Some of the essays are inconsistent and seem out of place in comparison to the stronger ones, but the topics those weaker essays explore are still worth reading. They could have just been cleaned up and refined a little bit.
I have a few more of the Smart Pop series on my Amazon wishlist, and I'm curious to see how they explore some of the o...more
I have a few more of the Smart Pop series on my Amazon wishlist, and I'm curious to see how they explore some of the o...more
If you're like me and you always had nagging questions about the Man of Steel, this one is for you. Good enough that I read the whole damn thing in one day, and it's laugh out loud funny sometimes.
No really, that's it. It's awesome because Superman is awesome and for the incredible depth of insight (and humor) of most of the book. Hence five stars.
No really, that's it. It's awesome because Superman is awesome and for the incredible depth of insight (and humor) of most of the book. Hence five stars.
A great, intelligent, broad exploration of the Superman mythos and it impact in both the comic book world and the real world. Has a stunning essay on Christopher Reeves and his offscreen role as "Superman."
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