Good Luck, Mr Gorsky: Exploring Urban Myths by Robert Pollock
What are urban legends and urban myths? How can I identify an urban legend, and tell it isn't true? What urban legends and urban myths and similar stories are circulating right now? Are there any really scary or spooky urban legends like 'Bloody Mary' or 'The Hook' or 'The Man Upstairs' which I've not heard yet?
This hilarious, intriguing and unique book answers these questions, and offers explanations about what urban legends really mean, what they tell us about our world, and why these stories matter more than most people think!
After a stimulating ride through his own experience of urban legends ('the back to front building', 'the phantom piper', 'the fancy dress party' ), the author offers a look at some well-known (the JATO car') and less well-known (the apartment fire') myths, and explains why all such stories fit into a small number of themes, which reflect modern fears, hopes and misapprehensions.
Urban legends are usually about a limited number of subjects: the way powerful forces affect our lives, how bad or immoral behavior will be punished, the strange antics of the rich, the danger and threats from strangers, the arrogance of scientists and the best and the worst in human society. Why should this be, and what stories do you prefer, and have you passed on any of them?
Everyone has by now heard about the Blue Star Tattoos, The Death Car, the man who found Elvis' Harley, the microwaved poodle, and how little Craig Shergold is dying of cancer, but can we look beyond the fact that none of these stories are true and learn why they are told, how they are passed on, and what real message they are carrying?
In a unique exploration of stories which actually turn out to be true, the author explains how to tell a true story from an urban legend, and the clues which allow you to avoid being taken in by the myths.
This book investigates hundreds of urban legends, and finds that these fascinating stories convey much more than a superficial reading might suggest – the beliefs and attitudes of whole generations are presented through them, like the diary of our civilization.
Laugh, have fun and learn how to tell myth from fact in Good Luck, Mr Gorsky!
Format: Paperback | 288 pages
Dimensions (cm): 19.8 x 12.6 x 2.5 | 306g
Publication Date: 1999
Publisher: Reed Publishing
Imprint: Reed Books
Publication City/Country: Auckland, New Zealand
Language: English
ISBN10: 0790006863
ISBN13: 9780790006864
Condition: Good
A vintage book that has been read but is in good condition. Very minimal damage to the cover including very minor, tiny, scuff marks along the edges, but no holes or tears. The majority of pages are undamaged with no creasing, but wrinkling and a single tear on the top of the first page only. No pencil underlining of text, no highlighting of text and no writing in margins. No missing pages.