Exploring the interplay between evolving American concepts of boyhood and the western frontier, the book delves into various cultural expressions, from social theories to popular entertainment. It reveals how these interconnected themes have shaped narratives about the nation's history and its envisioned future, providing a fresh perspective on storytelling in American culture.
Exploring the intersection of American boyhood and frontier mythology, the narrative delves into how ideals of masculinity influenced societal views during a transformative era. By analyzing Horace Greeley's call to "Go West," the book examines the perceptions of raising boys as crucial to the nation's future. It highlights the complex relationship between evolving notions of identity, character, and progress in the context of American history, revealing how these narratives both clashed and complemented each other.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves , Aladdin , Sinbad the Sailor : these are just some of the strange and amazing stories that clever Scheherazade tells to captivate her husband, King Shahryar…and to save her own life. Each one is more fantastic than the last, filled with demons and dervishes, caliphs and genies, men transformed into dogs and monsters with eyes that glow. Like the king, children will find themselves enchanted by every tale.