The Pacific Region: The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Regional Cultures

(Hardback)

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Description

Robert Penn Warren once wrote West is where we all plan to go some day, and indeed, images of the westernmost United States provide a mythic horizon to American cultural landscape. While the five states (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawai'i) which touch Pacific waters do share commonalities within the history of westward expansion, the peoples who settled the regionand the indigenous peoples they encounteredhave created spheres of culture that defy simple categorization. This wide-ranging reference volume explores the marvelously eclectic cultures that define the Pacific region. From the music and fashion of the Pacific northwest to the film industry and surfing subcultures of southern California, from the vast expanses of the Alaskan wilderness to the schisms between native and tourist culture in Hawa'ii, this unprecedented reference provides a detailed and fascinating look at American regionalism along the Pacific Rim. The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Regional Cultures is the first rigorous reference collection on the many ways in which American identity has been defined by its regions and its people. Each of its eight regional volumes presents thoroughly researched narrative chapters on Architecture; Art; Ecology & Environment; Ethnicity; Fashion; Film & Theater; Folklore; Food; Language; Literature; Music; Religion; and Sports & Recreation. Each book also includes a volume-specific introduction, as well as a series foreword by noted regional scholar and former National Endowment for the Humanities Chairman William Ferris, who served as consulting editor for this encyclopedia.

Reviews

"This set provides a comprehensive view of America's regional history and culture.... This encyclopedia set provides a resource that is compatible with regional studies curricula. Highly recommended. All levels." - Choice, June 2005 "Exploring both history and culture, this resource offers a comprehensive view of our nation's diverse regions.... The narratives focus on distinctive U.S. regions, with subjects ranging from architecture, art, and ecology to fashion, folklore, food, language, literature, music, religion, and sports.... With interest in regionalism on the rise owing to increased literary and American studies programs, students conducting research on regional identities and cultural distinctiveness will be well served by the depth of coverage this set provides. Classroom teachers and library media specialists could also utilize it in their own research. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries." - Library Journal, March 15, 2005 "This reference set will be a great source for students in grade seven and up, especially for schools and public libraries where states and cultural heritage assignments are frequent and curriculum support is needed." - VOYA, June 2005"

Author Bio

JAN GOGGANS AARON DIFRANCO serves as Program Officer for the Pacific Regional Humanities Center at the University of California, Davis. He is completing his Ph.D. research in the U.C. Davis English Department, where he specializes in 20th century poetry, environmental criticism, and bioregionalist culture. He has published several pieces on American nature poets, including an article on Gary Snyder's poetics.