{"product_id":"bigger-than-ben-hur-barbara-ryan-9780815634034","title":"Bigger Than Ben-Hur: The Book, Its Adaptations, and Their Audiences","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst published in 1880, \u003ci\u003eBen-Hur: A Tale of the Christ\u003c\/i\u003e became a best-seller. The popular novel spawned an 1899 stage adaptation, reaching audiences of over 10 million, and two highly successful film adaptations. For over a century, it has become a ubiquitous pop cultural presence, representing a deeply powerful story and monumental experience for some and a defining work of bad taste and false piety for others. The first and only collection of essays on this pivotal cultural icon, \u003ci\u003eBigger Than \"Ben-Hur\"\u003c\/i\u003e addresses Lew Wallace's beloved classic to explore its polarizing effect and to expand the contexts within which it can be studied. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In the essays gathered here, scholars approach \u003ci\u003eBen-Hur \u003c\/i\u003efrom multiple directions--religious and secular, literary, theatrical, and cinematic--to understand not just one story in varied formats but also what they term the \"Ben-Hur tradition.\" Drawing from a wide range of disciplines, contributions include the rise of the Protestant novel in the United States; relationships between and among religion, spectacle, and consumerism; the \"New Woman\" in early Hollywood; and a \"wish list\" for future adaptations, among others. Together, these essays explore how this remarkably fluid story of faith, love, and revenge has remained relevant to audiences across the globe for over 130 years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Barbara Ryan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 081563403X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780815634034\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Syracuse University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/21\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.88lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.09h x 6.02w x 0.62d","brand":"Barbara Ryan","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43926474621183,"sku":"9780815634034","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/products\/img_1e3e8991-ce4b-4e58-88f2-3e98edac2bb5.jpg?v=1681083275","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/bigger-than-ben-hur-barbara-ryan-9780815634034","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}