In this book; Michael Cramer views the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA); an organization that studies and recreates the middle ages; as a case study for a growing fascination with medieval fantasy in popular culture. He explores the act of medieval re-creation as performance by focusing on the SCA; describing the groups activities; investigating its place in popular culture; and looking at the SCA not so much as a historical society but as an on-going work of performance art; a postmodern counter-culture riff on what it means to be medieval. Cramer examines the groups activities; from persona and character development to theatrical performance and personal interaction; from the complex official ceremonies to full contact armored combat with mock broadswords. He explores the SCA in detail to discover how its members adapt and employ ideas about the Middle Ages in performance; ritual reenactment; living history; and re-creation; analyzing the performance of identity through ritual; sport; drama; and personal interaction; and he focuses on the reconstruction of the medieval king game; a game in which a mock king is chosen to reign over a mock court. The book also studies various ideas about medievalism; including the contrast between reenactment and re-creation; and places these activities in the context of contemporary American society. With three appendixes; a bibliography; and a selection of photos; Cramer demonstrates how and why medieval fantasy is increasingly used in popular culture and analyzes the dissatisfaction with contemporary culture that leads people into these realms of fantasy.
#1783257 in eBooks 2012-09-01 2012-09-01File Name: B009PADXXW
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Great Book And Read!!!!By CustomerThe author. David Rothenberg. would have no reason to remember me. as I am a former volunteer instructor at the Fortune Society. but when I heard he had written a book about his life. I wanted to read what he was all about. This book looks at many different aspects of Mr. Rothenbergs life. His life working as a press agent in the theater is a real joy to read. and he has so many great tales to tell.Where the book is strongest though is when David discusses the criminal justice system and his coming out as a Gay man. His views of how the world views things. and how the world can be is a very powerful statement. His life of working with the formerly incarcerated is quite powerful. and more of these stories need to be covered in the news media. and newspapers. and not buried in the back pages either. David Rothenberg is a witness to how lives have been changed by the Fortune Society. an organization he founded.After reading this book you walk away with a feeling of hope and joy knowing that people like David Rothenberg have made the world a better place to live in for so many people. Kind of makes you wish there were more Davids in this world. I am glad to have met David in my life. and even happier now that I know that much more about him.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Broadway memories and moving tales of overcoming challenges.By David MayhewThe author would have no reason to remember me. I was a theater/nightclub publicist in NYC in the early 1980s and met him several times. He had been out of the biz for a number of years at the time (and was soon to return to the business we call "show"). But I really had no concept of what he had been doing in the interim and the experiences he had. I bought this book for my Kindle at a friends recommendation. I looked forward to being dazzled by the "Broadway Glamour" the title promised. The book delivered on that. But I was far more taken with the "Social Justice...". The stories are powerful. moving. often painful. more often inspiring. I wish that when I met David 30-some years ago I had known what his eyes had seen and ears had heard. I would have quizzed him. This book provided the answers to the questions I did not know I had. Thanks. David.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A revelationBy Lynda Siev LeslieA meaningful account of the injustices of the DOJ told by a man who became an advocate and activist for those newly released from prison. Mr. Rothenberg is a unique man who "put his money where his mouth was" and admirably did so much.
