Colossus Of Roads
Myth and Symbol along the American Highway
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University of Minnesota Press
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
A rich and lively examination of this curious and pervasive tradition.
The world’s largest prairie chicken, a restaurant shaped like a fish, a massive Paul Bunyan, an enormous ear of corn-roadside sculpture is a uniquely American phenomenon, and these strange and wonderful figures are scattered along highways and standing in small-town squares, particularly in the Midwest.
These odd, oversized attractions have become destinations for travelers. Whether it serves art, commerce, or local pride, the colossus is a stopping place where the everyday rules of reality are suspended and the observer can gain insight into the way these communities imagine themselves.Karal Ann Marling visits dozens of these roadside attractions, viewing them analytically, intellectually, and enthusiastically, tracing each one through folklore and literature. Heavily illustrated, this book takes the reader on the road to examine these treasures and all that they represent.ISBN: 9780816636723
Dimensions: 229mm x 149mm x 8mm
Weight: unknown
152 pages