| Epitaph Culture in the West Variations on a Theme in Cultural History Contributor(s): Guthke, Karl S. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0773408479 ISBN-13: 9780773408470 Publisher: Em Texts OUR PRICE: $75.95 Product Type: Paperback Published: January 2003 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Sociology - General |
| Physical Information: 0.96" H x 6" W x 9" (1.38 lbs) 430 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This book examines a number of facets of Western epitaph culture since antiquity, with particular emphasis on post-medieval developments in the major European countries as well as in North America. Various epitaphic "sub-cultures" are analyzed, among them the time-honored custom of composing one's own tomb inscription as well as the ancient and modern convention of honoring animals with epitaphs. It also examines epitaph-collecting, epitaph "lies," humorous epitaphs, and the change in social and religious attitudes toward suicides. The book concludes with a cultural and intellectual history of epitaphs. An epilogue addresses the question of the supposed disappearance of epitaph culture at the present time. |