American Monster - How the Nation's First Prehistoric Creature Became a Symbol of National Identity

When the first mastodon tooth was found in 1705, Puritan clergymen claimed it was evidence of human giants. "American Monster" reveals our nation's preoccupation with prehistoric remains and traces the evangelical beliefs, Enlightenment thought, and Indian myths which led the founding fathers to view mastodons as a symbol of nationhood. 30 illustrations.

Summary

Dinosaurs and a quest for national identity are the order of the day with Semonin's "American Monster". This is a novel look at how the unearthing of the first complete mastadon skeleton became synonymous with the aspirations of a newly independent United States.

Product details

• Authors: Paul Semonin, Thomas Streeter
• Publisher: New York University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.09.2000
• EAN: 9780814781203
• ISBN: 978-0-8147-8120-3
• No. of pages: 502
• Weight: 853 g
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > General, dictionaries