Raising Kane: Elisha Kent Kane and the Culture of Fame in Antebellum America Transactions, American Philosophical Society (Vol. 98, Part 3) (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781606189832)

Here is the cultural biography of Elisha Kane, a sickly physician, who transformed himself into an internationally celebrated Arctic explorer and author before his untimely death in 1857. This book is an important reinterpretation of the life of a prototypically American figure. Following Kane's exploits from the Mexican War through his arctic adventures and ill-fated romance with the Spiritualist medium Margaret Fox, author Sawin ties this Kane into the main currents of mid-19th cent. popular culture, opening a new vista on the meanings of masculinity, celebrity, and heroism. This is an exhaustive research work into the life and accomplishments of a remarkable adventurer, and a sociological analysis of popular perceptions of Kane's work and feats. Illus.

Author: Mark Metzler Sawin
ISBN-10: 1606189832
ISBN-13: 9781606189832
Publisher: American Philosophical Society Press
Language: English
Published: 01/01/2008
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.93lbs
Size: 10.00h x 7.00w x 0.88d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 05/01/2009 pg. 73