Vice Capades
Sex, Drugs, and Bowling from the Pilgrims to the Present
by Mark Stein
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Pub Date Jul 01 2017 | Archive Date Jul 06 2017
University of Nebraska Press | Potomac Books
Description
From outlawing bowling in colonial America to regulating violent video games and synthetic drugs today, Mark Stein’s Vice Capades examines the nation’s relationship with the actions, attitudes, and antics that have defined morality. This humorous and quirky history reveals that our views of vice are formed not merely by morals but by power.
While laws against nude dancing have become less restrictive, laws restricting sexual harassment have been enacted. While marijuana is no longer illegal everywhere, restrictive laws have been enacted against cigarettes. Stein examines this nation’s inconsistent moral compass and how the powers-that-be in each era determine what is or is not deemed a vice. From the Puritans who founded Massachusetts with unyielding, biblically based laws to those modern purveyors of morality who currently campaign against video game violence, Vice Capades looks at the American history we all know from a fresh and exciting perspective and shows how vice has shaped our nation, sometimes without us even knowing it.
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“Vice Capades exposes our racist and sexist history but reads like a Jon Stewart segment.”—Marianne Noble, author of The Masochistic Pleasures of Sentimental Literature
“Mark Stein once again shines brilliant light on who we really are as a nation and people.”—Mark Olshaker, coauthor of Mindhunter and Law and Disorder
“This is classic Mark Stein: funny and wise and full of verve. An erudite and fun read.”—Bob Davis, coauthor of Prosperity
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781612348940 |
| PRICE | $29.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
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Featured Reviews
Anna A, Reviewer
This non-fiction book about the history of vices in America was fun, interesting, and a little too broad for my tastes.
Overall, I quite liked it - it was intriguing and talked about many aspects of sex, drugs, and political opinions that I wasn't aware of. But for this reason, I wish that many parts of the book had been more in-depth. Spending one or two paragraphs on some ideas felt like it wasn't enough and I longed for more information on many topics. On several topics (such as public nudity), Stein did a good job of covering the information more thoroughly, making me wish that he had continued that practice throughout the book.
My only other complaint is that this book took me quite awhile to get into. The first few chapters felt disjointed and hurried and I didn't find Stein's rhythm until I was already several pages in. Once I got a feel for the book, I enjoyed it quite a bit more, however.
Overall, I'd recommend this for people with an interest in the history of drugs, changing sexual opinions, and landmark Supreme Court cases. It offers a good overview of these topics.
Heather B, Reviewer
I liked the content of this book. It was interesting, and gave you a good insight into the magical world of vices . I would suggest this book for sure!
Reviewer 392033
Vice Capades covers a lot of vices from a lot of cultural contexts. The book is fairly chock full of information, flipping from different countries and perceived vices throughout history, including vice depiction in literature and the historical moments that defined or changed previous behaviour, particularly in the United States. It's a good read, especially for anyone who has experienced the feeling that something known to them is taboo, without really understanding why.
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