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While adult concern about gender in children’s books has made recent headlines, this discussion is far from new. As Gregory M. Pfitzer reveals, the writers and editors at Bobbs-Merrill, the publisher of the Childhood of Famous Americans book series published between 1932 and 1958, thought carefully about how their books would influence the development of their male readers. These books emphasized inspiring tales over historical accuracy and were written in simple language, with characters, dialogue, and stories that were intended to teach boys how to be successful men. But this was a specific image of American manhood. Published in an era when sociologists, psychologists, and other experts worried about male delinquency, the men envisioned in these books were steeped in Cold War racial and gender stereotypes, and questions about citizenship and responsibility. Based on deep archival research into the publication history of the series,
“From Boys to Men” sheds light on current controversies on children’s books and presentations of gender diversity.
Sommario
- List of Illustrations
- Preface
“Fiction Is the Lie through Which We Tell the Truth” - Part I: Moral Education: Exemplary Figures
- Chapter One
The Boy Problem
Abe Lincoln and the Childhood of Famous Americans Series - Part II: Public Servants: Statesmen and Politicians
- Chapter Two
Seeking a National Audience
Lee and Jefferson as Honorable Virginians - Chapter Three
The Series Concept
The Founding Fathers as Male Role Models - Part III: Military Readiness: War and Peace
- Chapter Four
“Mama’s Boys” and “Infantile” Men
The Roosevelts and the Masculine Mystique - Chapter Five
Citizen Soldiers and Fetishizing the Military Male - Part IV: Social Relationships: Exclusivity and Race
- Chapter Six
Frontier Manhood and the Dangers of “Going Native” - Chapter Seven
“Persecution Hounds” and the “Threat” of African American Masculinity - Part V: The Vocational and Recreational: Balancing Work and Play
- Chapter Eight
“Boys at Work”
Technology and Business as Manly Pursuits - Chapter Nine
“Muscular Masculinity”
Protecting Our Boys from Delinquency through Sports - Part VI: The Intellectual Boy: The Power of Literacy
- Chapter Ten
Male Delinquency and the Challenges of Historical Literacy - Conclusion
“Welcome Back, Miss Hazelrod” - Notes
Index
Info autore
Gregory M. Pfitzer is professor of American studies at Skidmore College and author, most recently, of “
Fame is Not Just for the Fellas”: Female Renown and the Childhood of Famous Americans Series.
Riassunto
Based on deep archival research into the publication history of the ‘Childhood of Famous Americans’ book series published between 1932 and 1958, From Boys to Men sheds light on current controversies on children’s books and presentations of gender diversity.
