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The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings
 
 
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The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings (Paperback)

by JH Brunvand (Author) "We are not aware of our own folklore any more than we are of the grammatical rules of our language ..." (more)
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
Price: £9.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co.; New edition edition (26 Jan 1983)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0393951693
  • ISBN-13: 978-0393951691
  • Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 409,112 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #5 in  Books > Humour > Urban Legends

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Product Description

Review
"For those of us who want a useful sourcebook, Professor Brunvand has given us a handy compilation." London Review of Books "The stories are fascinating and comprehensive." The Daily Telegraph "An amusing and interesting book." The Sunday Telegraph

Elaine Kendall, Los Angeles Times Book Review
"A uniquely entertaining book, edifying scholarship, diverting social history."

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Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
We are not aware of our own folklore any more than we are of the grammatical rules of our language. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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american folklore
urban legends
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The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings
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The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings 4.0 out of 5 stars (4)
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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to urban folklore, 12 May 1997
By A Customer
"The Vanishing Hitchhiker," folklorist Jan Harold Brunvand's first book on urban legends, provides a thorough introduction to the definition, interpretation, and themes of urban folkore. About three dozen classic "friend of a friend" tales are covered in depth; each is presented through several examples, accompanied by a detailed analysis, and listed in a Notes section highlighting folklore journal articles about it. All in all, an excellent introduction for those who care to learn more about the field of urban folklore rather than just read collections of urban legends.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book about stories and culture, 7 Aug 1998
By A Customer
This book is excellent. By reading it you get a good scope on what urban legends are and how they fulfil their role in communication in society. I have done some research in Folklore and Urban Legends in the Netherlands, and Brunvand's work has had a major influence on the scope of my thesis. He knows what he is talking about. This book gives a good insight in storytelling, culture and American Society. A must for researchers in cultural studies, and probably a good book for those who want to learn more about the American society. It is fun to read, clearly written and Brunvand has a nice style of writing. I think many people would like this book, whether they are doing research, are on holiday, on the train or whatever. It's a book of all times, and so are the stories...
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars We all know the stories, 15 Jan 1999
By A Customer
A fabulous introduction into the propagation of urban legend. We already know the stories - the hook or alligators in New York's sewers. The book is appropriate for the general audience, but has an academic twist. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining one-day read, but only for fun
I bought this book to get a better understanding of WHY urban myths and other word-of-mouth stories are passed along in our society. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 1998

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