American Nerd：The Story of My People

Mostpeopleknowanerdwhentheyseeonebutcan'tdefinejustwhatanerdis.AmericanNerd:TheStoryofMyPeoplegivesusthehistoryoftheconceptofnerdinessandofthesubculturesweconsidernerdy.WhatmakesDr.Frankensteinthearchetypalnerd?Wheredidthemodernjockcomefrom?Whenandhowdidbeingaself-describednerdbecometrendy?Asthenerdemerged,vaguelyformed,inthenineteenthcentury,andpoppedupagainandagainincollegehumorjournalsandsketchcomedy,ourcultureobsessedoverthedesignation.Mixingresearchandreportagewithautobiography,criticallyacclaimedwriterBenjaminNugentembarksonafact-findingmissionofthemostentertainingvariety.Heseeksthebestdefinitionofnerdandilluminatesthecommongroundbetweennerdsubculturesthatmightseemunrelated:high-schooldebateteamkidsandhamradioenthusiasts,medievalreenactorsandpro-circuitHaloplayers.WhydothesamepeoplewholiketoworkwithcomputersalsoenjoyplayingDungeons&Dragons?Howarethoseactivitiessimilar?Thisclever,enlighteningbookwillappealtothenerd(andantinerd)thatlivesinsideallofus.