Goth culture is extremely diverse, touching on visual art, fashion, film, music, and body aesthetics. "Goths: A Guide to an American Subculture" offers a concise, easy-to-follow history of the subculture that explores its emergence and its impact on popular culture in the United States. The book covers films, bands, and artists central to Goth culture, with emphasis on the Goth approach to fashion and body adornment. In addition, it discusses how America's Goth culture has influenced Goth populations elsewhere and how international developments have changed the U.S. Goth community. The volume is enriched with biographies of prominent Goth celebrities, such as Marilyn Manson and Robert Smith, as well as with interviews that offer readers a firsthand view of the culture. It concludes with an evaluation of Goth culture today, a look at what the future might hold, and a discussion of the significance of Goth culture to American society as a whole.

About the Author

Micah L. Issitt is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia, PA. His writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and academic publications. His published works include Greenwood's Hippies: A Guide to an American Subculture.

Reviews

Gr 9 Up-This is an exceptionally interesting book for readers who are intrigued by Goth culture. A time line is provided, going back to A.D. 238 and moving through the centuries to Germany's largest dark music festival in May 2010. The text is filled with all sorts of information, including an extensive Goth history, an exploration of this subculture's music, an examination of fashion and beauty, and an overview of Gothic-inspired films and writing. In addition to an extensive annotated bibliography, the book includes biographical sketches of major Goth figures and interviews with influential personalities. It is well written, well organized, and extensively researched. The one shortcoming is its lack of illustrations, except for a very few small black-and-white photos. Still, this is a great book for teens who want to know about Goth culture.-Carol Jones Collins, Hanover Park High School, East Hanover, NJ (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

"This is an exceptionally interesting book for readers who are intrigued by Goth culture. ...a great book for teens who want to know about Goth culture" -

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