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In "The American historical imaginary: contested narratives of the past" Caroline Guthrie examines the American relationship to versions of the past that are known to be untrue and asks why do these myths persist, and why do so many people hold them so dear? To answer these questions, she examines popular sites where fictional versions of history are formed, played through, and solidified. From television's reality show winners and time travelers, to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, to the movies of Quentin Tarantino, this book examines how mass culture imagines and reimagines the most controversial and painful parts of American history. In doing so, Guthrie explores how contemporary ideas of national identity are tied to particular versions of history that valorize white masculinity and ignores oppression and resistance. Through her explanation and analysis of what she calls the historical imaginary, Guthrie offers new ways of attempting to combat harmful myths of the past through the imaginative engagements they have dominated for so long -- publisher.

Mass media and history --- History in popular culture --- National characteristics, American. --- Imagination (Philosophy) --- Walt Disney World (Fla.) --- historical analysis, fictional analysis, historical fiction, american historical fiction, contemporary consumerism, historical media, Walt Disney World, Quentin Tarantino, national identity, american identity, television in america, historical imaginary, time travel television series, flat screeen tvs, quentin tarantino movies, classic movies, top 10 classic movies, alternate histories in fiction, fictional history.