Pranksters

Making Mischief in the Modern World

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Mental Illness, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Pranksters by Kembrew McLeod, NYU Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kembrew McLeod ISBN: 9780814796306
Publisher: NYU Press Publication: April 1, 2014
Imprint: NYU Press Language: English
Author: Kembrew McLeod
ISBN: 9780814796306
Publisher: NYU Press
Publication: April 1, 2014
Imprint: NYU Press
Language: English

From Benjamin
Franklin's newspaper hoax that faked the death of his rival to Abbie Hoffman’s
attempt to levitate the Pentagon, pranksters, hoaxers, and con artists have caused
confusion, disorder, and laughter in Western society for centuries. Profiling
the most notorious mischief makers from the 1600s to the present day, Pranksters
explores how “pranks” are part of a long tradition of speaking truth to power
and social critique.

Invoking such historical and contemporary figures as P.T. Barnum,
Jonathan Swift, WITCH, The Yes Men, and Stephen Colbert, Kembrew McLeod shows
how staged spectacles that balance the serious and humorous can spark important
public conversations. In some instances, tricksters have incited social change
(and unfortunate prank blowback) by manipulating various forms of media, from
newspapers to YouTube. For example, in the 1960s, self-proclaimed “professional
hoaxer” Alan Abel lampooned America’s hypocritical sexual mores by using
conservative rhetoric to fool the news media into covering a satirical organization
that advocated clothing naked animals. In the 1990s, Sub Pop Records
then-receptionist Megan Jasper satirized the commodification of alternative
music culture by pranking the New York
Times into reporting on her fake lexicon of “grunge speak.” Throughout this
book, McLeod shows how pranks interrupt the daily flow of approved information
and news, using humor to underscore larger, pointed truths.

Written in an accessible, story-driven style, Pranksters
reveals how mischief makers have left their shocking, entertaining, and
educational mark on modern political and social life.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

From Benjamin
Franklin's newspaper hoax that faked the death of his rival to Abbie Hoffman’s
attempt to levitate the Pentagon, pranksters, hoaxers, and con artists have caused
confusion, disorder, and laughter in Western society for centuries. Profiling
the most notorious mischief makers from the 1600s to the present day, Pranksters
explores how “pranks” are part of a long tradition of speaking truth to power
and social critique.

Invoking such historical and contemporary figures as P.T. Barnum,
Jonathan Swift, WITCH, The Yes Men, and Stephen Colbert, Kembrew McLeod shows
how staged spectacles that balance the serious and humorous can spark important
public conversations. In some instances, tricksters have incited social change
(and unfortunate prank blowback) by manipulating various forms of media, from
newspapers to YouTube. For example, in the 1960s, self-proclaimed “professional
hoaxer” Alan Abel lampooned America’s hypocritical sexual mores by using
conservative rhetoric to fool the news media into covering a satirical organization
that advocated clothing naked animals. In the 1990s, Sub Pop Records
then-receptionist Megan Jasper satirized the commodification of alternative
music culture by pranking the New York
Times into reporting on her fake lexicon of “grunge speak.” Throughout this
book, McLeod shows how pranks interrupt the daily flow of approved information
and news, using humor to underscore larger, pointed truths.

Written in an accessible, story-driven style, Pranksters
reveals how mischief makers have left their shocking, entertaining, and
educational mark on modern political and social life.

More books from NYU Press

Cover of the book The Beta Israel by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book The Securitization of Society by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book The Trial of Frederick Eberle by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Parenting Out of Control by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book The Life and Times of Abu Tammam by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Healing the Broken Mind by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Changing Faith by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book How the Wise Men Got to Chelm by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Feminist Accountability by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Moments of Silence by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Other Immigrants by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book How the Vote Was Won by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Leaving Prostitution by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Now? by Kembrew McLeod
Cover of the book Hate Thy Neighbor by Kembrew McLeod
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy