Where Misfits Fit: Counterculture and Influence in the Ozarks

The Ozarks is a unique region in American culture, offering insights into changing ideas about what it means to be an American and a southerner. In Where Misfits Fit: Counterculture and Influence in the Ozarks, Thomas Michael Kersen explores the people and groups who made a home in the Ozarks and how they contributed to American popular culture. He argues that the area attracts and nurtures people and groups on the margins of the mainstream, such as UFO enthusiasts, cults, musical troupes, and back-to-the-land groups. Each of the nine chapters focuses on a facet of the Ozarks, comparing two or more cases to generate new insights and questions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

The Ozarks, a unique region in American culture, holds a special place in the hearts of many. With its rugged landscapes, rich history, and distinct identity, the Ozarks offer a unique perspective on American life. Exploring the Ozarks provides an opportunity to delve into the last remaining cultural frontier in American society, offering a glimpse into the lives of the people who call it home.

Perhaps due to its isolation from mainstream American society or its marginalization within it, the Ozarks have developed a liminal and often countercultural identity. This uniqueness makes studying the region an intriguing endeavor, as it offers insights into changing ideas about what it means to be an American and, more specifically, a Southerner.

In his book, "Where Misfits Fit: Counterculture and Influence in the Ozarks," Thomas Michael Kersen delves into the lives of the people who have chosen to make the Ozarks their home. Kersen argues that the Ozarks attract and nurture individuals and groups on the margins of mainstream society. These include UFO enthusiasts, cults, musical troupes, and back-to-the-land groups. Through a comprehensive analysis of various sources, Kersen explores how the Ozarks became a haven for creative, innovative, and even nutty individuals to express themselves. It is within these communities that a deep social connection known as communitas emerges.

Each of the nine chapters in "Where Misfits Fit" focuses on a different aspect of the Ozarks, providing a rich and multifaceted perspective. Kersen compares two or more cases in each chapter to generate new insights and questions. These chapters examine real and imagined identities, highlighting how the Ozarks have contributed to popular culture through various means. They explore the Eureka Springs energy vortex, fictional characters like Lil Abner, cultic activity, environmentally minded communes, and the development of rockabilly music, as well as near-communal rock bands like Bl.

The Ozarks' unique identity and culture have left an enduring mark on American society. Its rugged landscapes, rich history, and distinct communities continue to captivate people from all over the world. Exploring the Ozarks offers a glimpse into the lives of the people who call it home, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities and diversity of American culture. Whether one is interested in the region's natural beauty, cultural heritage, or its role in shaping American identity, the Ozarks offer a wealth of experiences and insights that are worth exploring.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 152 x 226 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496835437